Do powerchairs cost as much as cars?
Mark E. Smith’s great blog Wheelchairjunkie.com, has a great article about powerchairs — a topic which combines two issues I am passionate about: disabilities and technology.
I have seen some amazing powerchairs, from a super speedy model with an Herman Miller Aeron chair, running circles around people at Sam’s club, to a Dean Kamen Segway filled with a small bench (!) at Whole Foods letting the rider sit much higher that in a traditional chair, aiding in shopping and interacting with people at a common height. It is exciting seeing the developments in this area. These advances create an expectation of more than just simple …
Video: Dean Kamen’s IBOT “Wheelchair” Power Chair
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):…
