Petwheels was born as a research project at UFSC (Federal University of Santa Catarina), developed by product designer Artur Balthazar with the goal of making mass customization of dog wheelchairs viable through digital fabrication. The solution combines 3D printing and a parametric platform capable of adapting each wheelchair to each dog's measurements, without giving up functionality, aesthetics and comfort. During development, Artur identified a limitation in conventional wheelchairs and created the flexible side bars, which let the torso recover its natural side-to-side movement. The technology was patented by UFSC BR 20 2022 002397-8 and drew national attention. After years of testing and refinement, Petwheels evolved into a product designed to fit the vast majority of dogs, paired with a digital platform for customizing dimensions, colors and accessories.

Sold throughout Brazil, Petwheels comes with lifetime access to the platform, where the customer can view the model they purchased and, if needed, order individual replacement parts. The goal is for the product to stay with the dog for many years: even if a component gets damaged or needs replacing in the future, there is no need to discard the whole wheelchair. This extends the product's life and reduces waste, keeping parts available even many years after the purchase.

To broaden access to the solution, we also developed a partnership program for veterinary clinics. Clinics that sign up as Partner Clinics start offering exclusive benefits to their clients, including discounts and special purchase conditions, with immediate access to these advantages through our platform. In addition, every partner clinic receives a free physical display model to keep in their space and use when presenting Petwheels to pet owners. Clinics interested in joining our partner network can contact us to learn about the program and its conditions.