Skip to content

Container mobile wheelchair clinic

It is estimated that 70 million people are in need of a wheelchair 80% of whom live in developing countries. For the last 25 years, Motivation, a non-profit organisation has been developing and delivering innovative products and solutions that help improve the quality of life of the world’s poorest and disadvantaged.  Motivation design a range of affordable, high-quality wheelchairs that take into account both the wheelchair user’s unique physical and environmental needs.

A recent collaboration with Google.org is testing the organisation’s ability to innovate and capitalise on the latest advances in cutting edge technology so they can continue to have a positive influence on the global wheelchair sector. The organisation has explored how 3D printing can be used to develop and produce tailored mobility solutions for wheelchair users in the developing world.

Motivation contacted S Jones Containers about converting a shipping container into a mobile wheelchair clinic that has been coined the ‘Print Pod’.

A 20’ double door tunnel tainer was chosen.  A patio door, electrics, HVAC, lining, a partition and flooring were all installed by the specialists at S Jones.  The container was then also kitted out with a 3D printer, relevant technology, software and the raw materials needed to facilitate wheelchair prescription and fitting.

The Print Pod has been transported to India and joined by a team of trained wheelchair clinicians and technicians.  On its journey, the vehicle delivering the container crashed into a tree which fell into power lines meaning the supply to the entire block had to be switched off to cut it free! Although we have never experienced anything like this, it does go to show accidents can and do happen however, if your expensive equipment is housed safely inside a corten steel shipping container, you can rest assured it will be protected!  Shipping containers can resist almost anything!

The project has taken the charity ever closer to their goal of ensuring disabled people in developing countries have better access to 100% accurate and tailored postural support, which in turn will reduce the risk of life threatening complications from poorly fitted chairs and dramatically increase mobility and independence.

Why did Motivation choose S Jones Containers?

“Dealing with S Jones Containers has been a pleasure from start to finish. With a wealth of experience in the field, the S Jones team played an instrumental role in the early planning stages of the project and were with us every step of the way. The container itself is everything that we could have hoped for – and at a cost that didn’t break the bank.” Ian Harris, Senior Designer.

For more information on bespoke conversions, call our specialist team on 01922 741756

Call free on
0800 1954 538