Building the RMEW
I engineered a Rideable Motorized Electric Wheelbarrow (RMEW) for my high school Physics course. This hands-on build required custom fabrication, including a riding tray, an integrated braking system, and custom-made battery packs and holsters.
Deconstruction & Motor Integration
The project began by completely deconstructing a standard wheelbarrow chassis. I separated the main carrying section from the frame to create a base for the new mechanics, then mounted the electric hub motor and the new drive wheel directly onto the modified frame.
Custom Battery & Electronics
Rather than using off-the-shelf power, I engineered a custom battery pack from scratch. After assembling, testing, and sealing the pack, I fabricated a dedicated tray to securely holster the battery and mount the LCD display screen, successfully wiring the power systems to the hub motor. Both the stock and custom batteries are compatible
Riding Platform & Suspension Testing
To make the rig rideable, I designed and fabricated a custom riding tray. Getting the suspension/connection right required heavy iteration; I built and tested a triple-spring suspension system underneath the tray to support human weight and absorb the shock of the motorized drive.
Initial Testing & Critical Optimizations
Live test rides immediately highlighted areas for improvement. I optimized the design for rider safety and handling by adding foot supports, applying high-traction material for shoes, and cutting off protruding bolts to increase ground clearance. During this phase, I also removed the rear caster wheels and fully integrated a disc braking system onto the wheel and handlebars for reliable stopping power.
Brakes
To safely manage the increased speed and weight of the motorized rig, I integrated a custom disc braking system. This required removing the front hub motor to securely bolt the brake rotor directly to the wheel, and fabricating a mount to attach the brake caliper to the main chassis. Finally, I engineered a custom mounting system on the wheelbarrow handles to secure the brake lever, ensuring reliable, responsive stopping power.
Steering Re-Design & Rail Integration
To improve the overall handling and stability, I overhauled the front-end mechanics. I engineered a custom steering system at the front of the rig and replaced the initial spring-based suspension with a more rigid, rail-based system for the riding tray.
Current Work & Pushing Hardware Limits
The physical build is continuously evolving. Currently, I am focused on software and performance optimization using a Cycle Analyst. By bypassing stock software limitations, I am actively testing the physical boundaries of the hardware to maximize torque and top speed, while simultaneously fabricating a more durable custom steering hub to handle the increased stress.