Participatory design and virtual prototyping for postural seat system innovation

Postural seat systems are modular mobility aids, aimed to correct postures through adjusting devices suitable to support and to guide body segments. The present paper sums up a participatory design and virtual prototyping approach for the continuous innovation of a postural seat system designed for disabled people. The methodological approach, the functional analysis and the succession of phases addressed to the application of the approach are carried out. Detailed descriptions of devices, proposed for the postural seat system, are presented to evidence new functionalities and related improvements. The activities were performed with the collaboration of “IRCSS Associazione Oasi Maria SS” in Troina (Sicily-Italy), which is an Italian Institute involved in genetics about mental diseases, recognized by World Health Organization.