Colorado Social Security Law » Wheelchair

iBot discontinued but motorized wheelchair technology marches on

Tomasz Stasiuk — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:29 +0000

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 writer 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:

HiZook also has a review of the Segway RMP 50 robotic platform, an omnidirectional powered platform that reminds me of something I read in comic books as a kid. Can you imagine using something like this as a base for a powered wheelchair?

Segway RMP Omni 50 from Cressel Anderson on Vimeo.

Video: Dean Kamen’s IBOT “Wheelchair” Power Chair

Tomasz Stasiuk — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:00:49 +0000

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):

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, video removed at YouTube:

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

Video: taking a wheelchair to a skate park

Tomasz Stasiuk — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:53:43 +0000