I was surprised to read in Popular Science that Dean Kamen’s iBot (an electric, motorized wheelchair which goes from four wheels to two wheels lifting the rider in the process, and can climb stairs,) has been discontinued due to costs. Neither insurance companies, nor Medicaid, wanted to foot the bill for this expensive, although amazing, power chair.

If you are lucky enough to have an iBot, HiZook notes that service will continue on the iBot until 2013.

Here is a commercial for the now departed iBot:

How cool was that! Check out the SavetheIBot campaign to try to …

Continue reading →

The IBOT is Dean Kamen’s on-road, off road, all terrain, stair climbing, power chair (“wheelchair”) which can also go into two wheel mode to raise the rider into a higher, more eye-level position.

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, video showing the features:

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

Here is a real world video (poorer quality video but showing off road use):…

Continue reading →