Difficult transfers
Moving between bed, wheelchair, toilet and shower can take several people and a lot of effort.
Innovation under development · Kenya
DigniChair
Portable Hygiene. Restored Dignity.
One Chair. Multiple Functions. More Dignity.
A multifunctional mobility and hygiene chair designed to help people with limited mobility use the toilet, shower, receive personal care and rest safely and comfortably.
Latest working prototype — currently undergoing testing and refinement.
The problem
Daily hygiene should never cost someone their dignity
For millions of people with limited mobility, the simple routines of using the toilet and washing are the hardest part of the day — for them and for the people who care for them.
Risk of falls
Wet floors and repeated lifting make transfers one of the highest-risk moments of daily care.
Unsuitable equipment
Many bathrooms are not adapted, and suitable hygiene equipment is often unavailable or costly.
Caregiver strain
Family members and carers carry physical and emotional load during every washing routine.
Loss of privacy
Being washed in an open room, or on a bed, can quietly erode a person's sense of dignity.
Rural realities
In many homes and rural settings, running water and accessible bathrooms simply are not there.
The result is a real gap: practical, portable and affordable hygiene support that works in ordinary homes — not only in fully equipped hospitals.
The solution
Five modes. One portable chair.
DigniChair brings mobility, toileting, showering, personal cleaning and resting together in one device — reducing the need to move a person between several products or rooms.
Toilet mode
Position the chair over an existing toilet, or use the integrated removable commode bucket where a toilet is not accessible.
- Open-front hygienic seat
- Removable waste bucket with cover
- Use over toilet or standalone
Design details
The latest prototype, up close
A closer look at the current black upholstered build, its removable commode, lockable wheels, front cushion and extended care position.
Latest working prototype
The current build combines a padded hygiene seat, adjustable leg support, caster frame and side-mounted water system.
Removable front cushion
The fitted front cushion closes the hygiene-seat opening when a continuous padded surface is needed.
Removable bucket
The bucket fits directly beneath the open seat and lifts out for emptying and cleaning.
Lockable caster wheels
Swivelling casters support positioning, with wheel locks to hold the chair steady during use and transfers.
Hygiene configuration
The open padded seat and portable water system bring toileting and washing support into one mobile setup.
Extended bed mode (target design)
The back and leg sections fold out flat onto their own independent stands, forming a continuous resting surface without straining the main frame.
Next design step
Outdoor comfort upgrade
This is a design concept, not the current prototype. It shows how a removable shade could help in sun or light rain.
Removable mwavuli (canopy)
A clip-on umbrella shade for outdoor use — helpful in the sun or light rain, and for users whose skin or eyes cannot take direct sunlight.
- Clips on and lifts off in seconds
- Shade from sun and light rain
- Adjustable angle and height
- Protects sensitive or healing skin
How it works
A simple, five-step routine
DigniChair is designed so a single caregiver — or in some cases the user themselves — can complete a full hygiene routine in one place.
- 01
Position the chair safely
Roll the chair into place over the toilet or into the washing area, then engage the wheel locks before any transfer.
- 02
Use the toilet or commode
The open seat allows use over an existing toilet, or with the removable commode bucket where no toilet is reachable.
- 03
Wash with the water system
Hang the water reservoir, connect the hose and use the hand-pump to direct water for comfortable, private washing.
- 04
Extend for rest or care
Extend the frame into the flatter position when the user needs to lie down, be dried, dressed or receive personal care.
- 05
Fold, clean and store
Empty and clean the bucket, wipe down surfaces, then fold the frame for storage or transport.
Safety reminders
- Always lock the wheels before a person sits down or stands up.
- Fasten the safety belt whenever the user needs additional support.
- Check that the frame is fully locked in position before use in any mode.
- Never leave a person unattended if they cannot support themselves.
- Test water temperature before washing and keep the floor as dry as possible.
Key features
Designed around dignity, safety and practicality
3-in-1 functionality
Toilet, shower and rest functions in one device.
Portable design
Built to be moved between rooms, homes and facilities.
Foldable frame
Folds down for compact storage and transport.
Lockable wheels
Locks hold the chair steady during transfers.
Safety belt
A supportive strap for users who need extra security.
Supportive armrests
Armrests and handles to help with sitting and standing.
Portable water tank
A side-mounted water supply for washing support where it is needed.
Flexible washing hose
A directed hose keeps the water system close at hand.
Removable commode
A covered waste bucket that lifts out for cleaning.
Easy-to-clean surfaces
Smooth, wipeable materials for hygienic reuse.
Extended rest mode
A flatter surface for resting and personal care.
Caregiver friendly
Designed to reduce lifting and physical strain.
Who we serve
Built for the people doing the caring — and being cared for
Older adults
People with disabilities
Limited mobility
Post-surgery patients
Recovering from illness or injury
Caregivers
Families
Home-care providers
Hospitals & facilities
Rural communities
Use cases
Where DigniChair is designed to work
Home care
One device covers toileting, washing and resting in a single room — reducing transfers in tight, unadapted homes.
Hospitals & health facilities
Supports ward hygiene routines and patient positioning where bathroom access is shared or limited.
Rural homes
The portable water reservoir and hand-pump are designed for settings without piped water or accessible bathrooms.
Post-operative recovery
Helps patients manage hygiene with dignity during the weeks when standing and walking are restricted.
Disaster relief & outreach
Foldable and transportable for temporary shelters, clinics and community outreach programmes.
Travel & outdoor care
Families can bring dignified hygiene support with them instead of leaving a loved one behind.
Design & sustainability
Made to last, repair and produce locally
Sustainability is approached through design intent: durability, repairability and local manufacturing potential — not unverified claims.
Durable design
Built for long service life rather than quick replacement.
Repairability
Designed so worn parts can be repaired instead of discarded.
Modular components
Replaceable modules such as cushions, buckets and hoses.
Local manufacturing
Intended to be producible with local fabrication capacity.
Circular thinking
Exploring responsibly sourced materials where technically appropriate.
Fewer devices
One chair reduces the need for several separate assistive products.
Vision
Make safe, dignified and practical personal hygiene and mobility support more accessible to people with limited mobility.
Mission
Develop affordable, durable and locally manufacturable assistive technology that improves dignity, safety, independence and caregiver efficiency.
Founder
Samwel Morara Onchiri
DigniChair is being developed in Kenya, with a primary focus on Kenyan homes and health facilities and a long-term ambition to expand across Africa. The innovation is currently in structured incubation and validation.
Help bring DigniChair to the people who need it
We are looking for partners, incubators, health facilities, caregivers and manufacturers to test, refine and scale the concept.