Scott Mackler was a husband, father and successful neuroscientist when he received perhaps the worst news imaginable. At the age of 40, he could run a marathon in three and a half hours, but it was about that time he discovered he had ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Today, Scott Mackler’s mind is sharp as ever, but his body has failed. Doctors call it “locked in” syndrome. Scott and his wife Lynn learned to communicate with about the only thing he has left, eye movement.To signal “yes,” Lynn says Scott looks at her; to signal “no,” he looks away.

But recently Scott found a new voice. “Can everyone hear the PC?”

You have to see it!

It isn’t exactly new, but it is actually out in the real world; instead of being just some super cool prototype in a lab.

Here’s a nice clear, although in lab videos showing the features:

BlazerCast for April 1: The IBot Mobility System - The best video clips are right here

Here’s a real world video (poorer quality video but showing off road use):

Theresa Test Drives An IBot - Funny blooper videos are here

How stable is it in two wheel mode? Oh, stable enough to go to the gun range! Seriously!

The commercial even shows it on the beach!
Sorry, can’t embed this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKYDLdu930s&feature=related

How much? Oh, about $26,000 according to the videos. Ouch! For more information, see www.ibotnow.com.

That was just a teaser.  Here is a new video showing you much more of what the arm can do.

 
Opps! Bad link initially. Should be working now.