Design and Fabrication of a Foot-Operated Steering System for Armless People

I ndependent mobility remains a major challenge for individuals with upper-limb disabilities, as conventional vehicle control systems are primarily designed for hand-operated steering and braking. This paper presents the design and development of a foot-operated steering mechanism intended for armless users. The proposed system employs a rack-and-pinion arrangement actuated through a gear-assisted motor and rotary encoder interface, enabling precise steering control using lower-limb motion.A 24 V DC drive system provides propulsion, while braking and acceleration are integrated through dedicated foot controls.Detailed mechanical design calculations, steering geometry analysis, torque estimation, and energy evaluation are presented to validate system feasibility.The prototype demonstrates stable steering response within ±30° lock range and achieves an estimated operational range of 10.8 km under nominal loading conditions. The developed mechanism offers a cost-effective and practical assistive mobility solution that enhances independence and promotes inclusive vehicle design.