Syracuse Sun

Former Syracuse University student Jim DaRin is one of many wheelchair users who rely on adapted vehicles to drive. These vehicles are equipped with a docking system designed to secure the wheelchairs in place while users focus on the road. However, even when the wheelchair is locked in, it’s not completely secure, causing DaRin to move back and forth while driving.

“The docking system moves and I’m rocking back and forth. I’m paralyzed from my waist down and have my hands on the steering wheel and throttle. It’s not secure or safe,” says DaRin. “The wheelchair’s pin also has a tendency to get caught on certain surfaces and the bolt drags on the pavement.”

DaRin is far from the first to complain about docking systems for adapted vehicles, but very few attempts have been made to fix these issues. That’s when he reached out to engineering students Davis Hood ’26 (electrical engineering), Jennifer Mason ’26 (mechanical engineering), Matthew Pinto ’27 (biomedical engineering) and Carter Thompson ’26 (aerospace engineering) to explore ways to improve his docking mechanism.

“I showed them the challenge I was having and the problems with my current docking system,” DaRin says.

As part of Invent@SU, a six-week summer program where student teams prototype, design, and pitch original devices to judges, Hood, Mason, Pinto, and Thompson created MagniClaw, a device that securely locks wheelchairs in moving vehicles. Their device has a lightweight bar attachment on the back of the wheelchair and a docking mechanism that holds a clamping electromagnet.

“We’ve gone through multiple different design iterations, and we are always trying to keep in mind Department of Transportation standards,” says Hood. “Our device is easy to use, has a universal design, and can go on a majority of manual wheelchairs.”

MagniClaw’s lightweight attachment can easily be connected to wheelchairs using two small clamps. Once attached, the user can connect it to the docking frame. The attachment has a steel plate in the center that interacts with the electromagnet to securely hold the wheelchair in place.

“Our device has a clamping mechanism. With this, wheelchair users can back into clamps without any extra input from the control center and the clamp’s shape provides enough security for the electromagnet to turn on,” says Pinto.

The electromagnet, which holds up to 600 lbs., is activated by a remote featuring Bluetooth connectivity that communicates whether it is on or off.

“All wheelchair users have to do is back up, and the system gets locked in holding them in place until they press a button that activates the electromagnet. They’re held for the car ride; when they’re done they press another button releasing it so they can roll away freely,” says Mason.

MagniClaw's hitch-less design and customizability set it apart from competitors while providing more freedom for wheelchair users with an accessible docking system. They showcased their device at Invent@SU’s final presentations before 14 expert judges including faculty members Dean Cole Smith, Syracuse University Life Trustee Bill Allyn, and program supporter Mike Lazar. The team tied for second place winning $1,200.

“It was nice having engineers from different disciplines in our group. It also feels great helping Jim out,” says Thompson.

“My previous docking system was not good; their system is much better," says DaRin. "It’s much safer and more secure."

“Mr. Jim Darin approached me with a problem he hoped an Invent@SU team could solve," says Kenneth Shaw Professor of Practice Alex Deyhim."It was amazing watching students work directly with Mr.Darin designing MagniClaw—a magnetic wheelchair docking system potentially helpful millions Americans who use wheelchairs full-time.This project exemplifies what our students achieve across engineering disciplines.”