TanksALot began with an idea for shared outdoor activities. As we’ve explored it, we’ve also been asking where else the thinking behind it might be useful.
One possibility is helping wheelchair users access places where ordinary wheels can struggle, including sand and some woodland surfaces.
An early concept we’re exploring is a powered tracked platform that could allow a manual wheelchair user to remain in their own chair. The question behind it is whether that approach could offer useful access while preserving more independence.
It is a concept at this stage. We haven’t established that it will work, who it would suit or which settings would be appropriate. Those questions need research, design work and testing.
We also need to understand whether it addresses something people actually want. The most useful answer might change the idea substantially.
Exploring other uses brings a challenge: staying focused. There are plenty of interesting directions a project could take, but each requires time, resources and careful work.
Our immediate priorities remain understanding people’s experiences, developing the safety approach and deciding what a useful first pilot should demonstrate. The wider ideas give us questions to keep investigating as that work progresses.
We want TanksALot to grow from evidence and experience. That means listening when people point out a problem, tell us an existing solution already works or suggest a need we haven’t considered.
If you haven’t completed our survey yet, your perspective could help shape those decisions. If you already have, thank you. Sharing it with another wheelchair user or a relevant community is a practical way to help us hear more voices.
Help us understand access to beaches and woodland.
There is still a long way to go. We’re taking the next steps with curiosity, care and a clear reason to keep going.