By Hunter Adams
Leaf Home, a leading name in home accessibility and improvement, has consistently raised the bar in innovative product development. With a customer base of over 2 million homeowners across its product lines in North America, the company is recognized for its commitment to quality, accessibility, and transformative technology. Central to this success is Ningguan Li, a senior engineer whose pioneering contributions have solidified the company’s reputation as an industry leader. Li’s work has been instrumental in two groundbreaking projects that have redefined standards in the stair lift market: the development of the widely adopted Life Cycle Test Procedure and the design and invention of a portfolio of next generation stair lift products with market leading features.
Photo Courtesy: Ningguan Li
Transforming Internal Product Test Protocol with the Life Cycle Test Procedure
Li spearheaded the creation of the Life Cycle Test Procedure, a comprehensive durability testing protocol now applied to all incline-mounted carriage systems sold by Leaf Home. Designed to simulate 10 years of usage with 10,000 round trips along a 16-foot stairway, this methodology set a new benchmark for reliability and product validation. With automated 24/7 testing and precise monitoring via advanced video surveillance, the procedure has provided invaluable data on chassis strength, motor longevity, and component durability. Li’s expertise in constructing mathematical and physical models was critical in ensuring the procedure’s accuracy and consistency, directly enhancing the quality and safety of Leaf Home’s product lines.
With a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a background in Electro-Mechanical Engineering from UNC Charlotte, Li leveraged his expertise in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and robotics programming to construct the theoretical models that underpin this testing procedure, ensuring unparalleled accuracy and efficiency.
Revolutionizing Accessibility with a Next Generation Stair Lift
Li’s role in the development of the next generation stair lift products exemplifies his innovative approach to engineering. Aimed to be the narrowest stair lift on the US market, the lift was designed to meet the needs of homeowners with limited space. Incorporating a maintenance-free rack-and-pinion drive system, it offers unparalleled reliability, supporting up to 350 pounds with an 11x safety factor that exceeds ASME standards. Li led every stage of this project, from initial concept ideation, component and assembly design to prototype testing, ensuring the product’s performance and market readiness. His collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams resulted in ergonomic enhancements, including adjustable seating and a 90-degree swivel, making the next generation stair lift product a market leader in user-centric design.
“With the new stair lift, we’re delivering not just a product but a promise of independence and accessibility to more households,” said Ningguan Li. “Its compact design, durability, and safety features mark a significant step forward in accessibility innovation.”
“Accessibility is not just about creating products; it’s about engineering freedom for those who need it most,” Li shared, reflecting his philosophy that technology should prioritize inclusivity without sacrificing performance. This perspective stems from his experience in designing complex mechanical systems, from motorsports vehicles to medical devices, which has equipped him with a unique ability to foresee market demands and solve real-world challenges.
Quantifiable Impact and Industry Recognition
Since joining Leaf Home, Li has been a cornerstone of the engineering team, driving innovation in a department responsible creating the products that power North America’s largest direct-to- consumer home products company as recognized on the 2023, HIP 200. His leadership in enhancing the company’s stair lift product portfolio has significantly impacted the growth of the product category. Between 2022 and 2024, his contributions drove a +30% increase in unit volume and his future innovations are anticipated to also drive significant growth. Additionally, the implementation of his automated Life Cycle Testing Procedures have further strengthened Leaf Home’s competitive edge by ensuring the reliability and durability of its product offerings.
Colleagues recognize Li for his groundbreaking innovations and deep insight into the field of home accessibility. His expertise in harmonizing engineering precision with design ingenuity has resulted in products that set new standards in functionality, affordability, and user-centric design.
Shaping the Future of Accessible Living
Ningguan Li’s technical acumen and innovative spirit have not only advanced Leaf Home’s product capabilities but also elevated its position in the accessibility industry. His work reflects a commitment to creating inclusive solutions that empower homeowners and redefine industry standards. Li’s multidisciplinary proficiency in mechanical engineering, electronics system design and practical craftsmanship, including skills like welding and machining, has enabled him to bridge theoretical design with real-world application, resulting in products that are both innovative and accessible. As Leaf Home continues to lead the way in accessible home technology, Li’s contributions stand as a testament to the transformative power of engineering excellence.
This article, written by Hunter Adams, was published by Julian James.