Research & Development
JAXA promotes three research and development programs and a fundamental research program that underpins them.
Universal Design for Advancing All People’s Comfort in Air Travel
Proposal for a Wheelchair Securement Device for Aircraft Using an Anchor Bar
JAXA, JAMCO Corporation, and Toyota Motor Corporation have collaboratively developed a wheelchair securement device for aircraft using an anchor bar to enable smoother and more accessible air travel for wheelchair users.
The wheelchair securement device for aircraft is a plinth structure installed in the cabin that allows a wheelchair to be safely secured in place. The device uses anchor bars mounted on the wheelchair, which are held in place by hooks on the plinth. This enables quick and easy securement of the wheelchair. As a result, wheelchair users can remain seated in their own wheelchair throughout boarding, flight, and deplaning, enabling a seamless and comfortable air travel experience.
JAXA, JAMCO Corporation, and Toyota Motor Corporation have designed this anchor bar–based wheelchair securement device for aircraft and conducted dynamic load testing (structural strength testing) required by aviation safety regulations on a prototype. The results confirmed that the device withstands required loads, demonstrating the technical feasibility of this approach.
(Left) Wheelchair securement device for aircraft. It consists of a plinth on which the wheelchair is placed, two hooks located at the center of the plinth for securing the wheelchair, and seatbelt attachment fittings positioned at the rear. The device itself is fixed to the aircraft’s seat track rails. (Right) Wheelchair secured onto the wheelchair securement device.
(Left) Anchor bar mounted on the wheelchair. The anchor bar was installed on an attendant-propelled manual wheelchair for automotive use, in accordance with the Simplified Wheelchair Securement System Guideline issued by the Consortium for Standardization of Simplified Wheelchair Securement. (Right) Anchor bar when secured. The hooks can be moved up and down manually, and the anchor bar is secured by fitting it into the grooves of the hooks.
Dynamic load test (horizontal setup) captured with a high-speed camera. In accordance with regulations, a 16 G frontal impact was simulated, confirming that no critical damage occurred to the wheelchair securement device and the anthropomorphic test dummy. (Image courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation)
Dynamic load test (vertical setup) captured with a high-speed camera. In accordance with regulations, a 14 G acceleration simulating the upward force during an emergency landing was applied, confirming that no critical damage occurred to the wheelchair securement device and the anthropomorphic test dummy. (Image courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation)
Background
For many years, wheelchair users have expressed a strong need to use their own wheelchairs as aircraft seats. Enabling this would eliminate the physical strain associated with transferring to aircraft seats, reduce the hassle of checking in wheelchairs, allow users to maintain seating support tailored to individual needs, and ease concerns about wheelchair damage or loss. At present, passengers are not permitted to use their own wheelchairs in a cabin. However, discussions on rulemaking are ongoing, originating in the United States.
To ensure safety, wheelchairs must be securely restrained within the aircraft. However, no definitive standard has yet been established, and the design of such securement systems is still being explored to ensure the safety of both wheelchair users and surrounding passengers. The wheelchair securement device for aircraft proposed here represents one feasible solution to this issue.
JAXA, JAMCO Corporation, and Toyota Motor Corporation will continue their research and development efforts with the goal of enabling stress-free air travel and greater freedom of movement for wheelchair users.
June 12, 2026