Green Cart

GreenCart is a gardening assistance system (or cart) designed specifically for the elderly. It aims to utilize improved tools and equipment to help seniors overcome the physical limitations associated with aging, enabling them to continue participating in gardening activities safely and comfortably.

problem

As individuals age, they frequently encounter physical decline, reduced joint mobility (making it difficult to bend, squat, or kneel), and fatigue. Traditional gardening tools and methods often demand excessive physical movement and exertion, which makes gardening difficult for seniors and increases the risk of physical injury.

solution

The project offers an integrated solution featuring a rotatable seat that can turn 180 degrees, enabling seniors to perform tasks such as pruning or planting while seated, thereby minimising the strain of standing and bending. It includes ergonomically designed components, such as a specialized planting tray and shovel, engineered to reduce force exertion on the wrists and back. Furthermore, assistive mechanisms allow users to easily adjust their working position, significantly improving operation convenience and safety.

An elderly person who loves nature and gardening. For them, gardening is not just a chore—it is a source of vitality, therapy, and accomplishment. They want to remain active, but their body is beginning to tell a different story.

The Conflict: Passion vs. Physiology

The antagonist in this story is physical decline.

The struggle: The narrative highlights the painful reality of ageing—stiff knees that make kneeling impossible, a back that hurts when bending over, and wrists that lack their former strength.
The threat: Because standard tools are not designed for them, they face a heartbreaking choice: endure pain to do what they love, or give up gardening entirely.

The Insight: "Age should not be a barrier"

The turning point is the realisation that the problem isn't the person, but the tools. The designers recognised that if the garden could be brought to the user, rather than forcing the user down to the garden, the activity could become accessible again.

The Resolution: GreenCart

GreenCart enters as the enabler.

Restoring dignity: By introducing a 180-degree rotatable seat, the story shifts from "struggling to stand" to "sitting comfortably while working."
Extending capability: The ergonomic tools and planting trays act as extensions of the user's hands, compensating for reduced grip strength.
The Ending: The elderly user is no longer defined by what they can't do. They are back in the garden, independent and safe, enjoying the harvest of their labour without the pain.