Eve Butler

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University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2024 > BEng students > Eve Butler

An adaptive tricycle supporting disabled toddlers.

Hi! I'm Evie! I have studied Product Design since the age of 13- from GCSE through to university degree and my passion has not waivered. I completed a foundation year in Engineering to acquire maths and physics always with the intention to move onto PDM. The variation of creative opportunities, digital skills taught and employment possibilities in Product Design seemed unmatched to other engineering branches. I am most excited by the middle stages of the design process; refining the fine details is when I feel most in control of my project and iterating with prototypes to test any crazy ideas or mechanical theories is exciting. In my year in industry, I worked for a company that designs and manufactures postural support equipment for disabled children. I relished in the challenge of working on products I had never even seen before and to design products that revolutionise families' lives was extremely gratifying. I also loved working with a team across all departments as firstly, it highlighted just how involved each department can be with decision making and secondly, it meant I could soak up expertise in marketing, injection moulding and physiotherapy to name a few. Being a big empath and (as my mum describes me) 'a consummate socialite', I have always had a passion for psychological and cognitive interactions with products especially in inclusive design - a field I am planning to explore further. But, having grown up in Italy, I also am drawn to the beauty in furniture and interior design.

I am a dedicated rugby player, having captained my university team and been a starting 1XV player for 4 years. But still always open to new endeavours, with boxing being my latest culprit. Generally, I just love being active and outdoors which fuels my enthusiasm for travelling and languages. To combine any of these interests with a design carer would be the dream!

Eve Butler, BEng Product Design and Manufacture

My First Stride – An Adaptive Tricycle

'My First Stride' is the 1st adaptive tricycle accommodating disabled toddlers as young as 18 months old.

1 in 345 are diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy around the world, a disorder that affects one's ability to move and maintain balance and posture. New medical research is emerging that being active should no longer be secondary to standing and that early intervention with regards to mobility is essential to give these toddlers the best possible quality of life.

For typically developing children, learning to ride a bike is an integral milestone in their development. A disability does not diminish the importance of exercising; riding a trike from 18 months old can support a reciprocal stepping motion which will firstly, aid a toddler to learn to walk and secondly, to walk with a better gait pattern. It also supports their seating and posture control, exploration of their environment and encourages peer interactions.

So, what's different about this trike?

Postural support is the backbone of the project; both the wide contoured saddle and the seat belt provide proper pelvic alignment whilst the contoured backrest and chest strap promote an upright, aligned posture and provide the required trunk support.

An adjustable carer push handle offers pedal assistance to less able toddlers; even if they don't have the strength to pedal themselves, they can reap the rewards of the pedalling motion.

Other notable design features:

An open gate design for easy transfers
Loop handlebars, prioritising user comfort
Adjustable seat, backrest, handlebars and carer push handle allowing this trike to grow with the toddler

Finally, say this trike was kept in a pre-school, or able/disabled children wanted to share...? Simply remove the seatbelts, push handle, and pedal straps and an able child could enjoy this trike just as much.