Meet two Aussie innovators transforming wheelchair access

An innovative solution

After their foiled 2018 beach visit, Ryan and Huy dedicated their final-year primary project at uni to solving the access problem. The result was Gecko Traxx.

Upon completing the project, they posted the accessory for sale online, receiving several pre-orders. That encouraged them to seek funding and office space in mid-2019 to start their business. The product officially launched in mid-2020, selling about 200 units so far.

A quest to Australian beaches

Ryan says that before Gecko Traxx, wheelchair users had limited options when visiting beaches.

He says mobility mats that roll out onto the sand to provide temporary access to wheelchair users are rarely available. Beach-specific wheelchairs are expensive and heavy, while chunky beach tyres are inconvenient, requiring users to get out of and switch their wheelchair seats as well.

“We wanted to create a nice balance that focused on portability and empowering users to be more independent,” Ryan says.

“We wanted to remove the stress and planning that goes into something as simple as enjoying the beach.”

An idea grounded in nature

When designing their solution, Ryan says he and Huy came up with “crazy ideas” like miniature tank tracks. But they decided to go back to nature after Ryan saw a gecko while camping.

“I started thinking about how they stick to windows,” he says. “While it’s not that same application, it’s the same idea of their feet spreading out and creating more surface area.”

“A big part of my design philosophy is to look to nature. It’s already solved the problem for us, especially when the problem is designing something to help people enjoy nature.”

The two took this natural inspiration and blended it with emerging technology, using virtual reality, 3D sketching and printing, and computer-aided design techniques to develop and test prototypes.

Creating a path to inclusion

Ryan says having a disability shouldn’t stop people from living life spontaneously.

“It’s not just about accessibility to different environments,” he says. “It’s about not being socially excluded from events with loved ones – spending time with friends and family without having to sort equipment hire or worrying as much about where they’re going.”

Ryan says removing the limits on how wheelchair users can enjoy the outdoors can have other benefits, too.

“Being able to get outside is also great for mental health – it’s scientifically proven to help reduce stress and make people feel more connected to the world around them.”

Factoring in sustainability

Ryan says he and Huy faced a traditional engineering problem when developing Gecko Traxx.

“There’s often a design tension between material being both functional and recyclable,” he says. “We use natural rubber, which is durable and has the right performance properties, but can also be recycled into other products as well.”

Though Ryan expects a pair of Gecko Traxx to last 3-5 years, the company offers to take back worn out tyres and offers a discount on a new pair. This way, Gecko Traxx can recycle the rubber. It’s shredded into a fine material, some of which can be used to make new Gecko Traxx. The company’s Melbourne-based manufacturing partner can then use much of the remaining excess rubber to create other products.

Shaping the future

Ryan who is excited about the future of Gecko Traxx, is planning to launch what he describes as an “extremely light” manual wheelchair in May. The company is also developing other lightweight, portable products for enjoying the outdoors.

As Gecko Traxx continues to experiment and develop, Ryan says there is plenty of room for progress in the industry.

“There’s a huge need for innovation in the disability sector,” he says. “We think there’s massive potential to impact the everyday lives of people and give them that freedom they deserve.”

Gecko Traxx headquarters energy is powered by AGL. See how our new internet and mobile phone plans can help power your everyday life today.