Electric Wheelchair Future Technology

As we follow the technological advancements in field of assistive devices for the last five years, we are shocked by products on the market now and 5 years ago. Although we covered many news technology announcements, scientific breakthrougs and wrote about prototype products that are coming to market in 1-2 years, this still did not happen.

We can not disagree with Merlexi Craft people (manufacturer of plastic wheelchairs in the USA) in comment here when they say that most concept wheelchairs never make it to market even if they receive National Institute of Health funding. Major obstacle on the road to new products is extensive testing and govt regulations regarding to Medicare/caid. While smaller outfits and innovators have always had trouble finding funding; it now looks that bureaucratic/paperwork obstacles are even harder to break, not to mention that you need experienced people/lawyers just to navigate thru all the regulations and updates of updates on regulations…

Therefore public expects new products from big players, same companies that are on the bleeding development edge in various sectors (robotics, automobilism, autonomous home assistance devices) like Toyota, Honda. But even here – where are the Toyota i-Real? The Toyota i-Swing? The Honda Personal Mobility Device U3-X and Honda’s Robotic Leg or CLEG? Where is the powered ExoSkeleton? Where is the mind controlled electric wheelchairs controller? Where are stem cell powered engines/hybrid batteries? Where and when?

So for the near term we are not optimistic about the development of the assistive technology market and products. Way from lab and prototype to market is too long, too steep and too expensive!

NOTE: few words about Merlexi Craft – they are manufacturers of plastic manual wheelchairs, that are cheap (sub $1000) and light. They are made from lightweight plastic, have folding contoured seats, come in various colors and offer quick-release wheels/footrests… Special versions are available for hospitals – and such wheelchair is appropriate for magnetic imaging, is safe, durable and shellock approved… If would be nice to see if company can fit an electric motor on top of the plastic frame and create economically feasible electric wheelchairs for mass market… See introductory video below:

America’s Dynamic Controls unveiled its latest technology at world’s top trade fair for those with special needs and requiring care – REHACARE in Germany. Company integrated an iPhone into its power wheelchair electronics. Apple’s iPhone can now be considered accessiblity product, enabling powered wheelchair users to use them as normal while also gaining access to detailed information and control system access of their chair using the device. iPhone or iPod touch (iPhone 3G, 3GS, iPod touch V2.0 and 3.0) can be connected to the wheelchair system, and as result can display chair information in real time. This includes speed in kph or mph, compass heading and detailed wheel chair diagnostics (that interprets problems with the wheel chair).

iPhone can be fitted to any new or existing Dynamic Controls DX2, DX or Shark electric wheel chair.  A cradle is available to mount the iPhone or iPod touch onto the wheelchair, connecting it with control systems. This requires no reprogramming of the wheelchair, and can be done at home. While connected, iPhone is charged from the chair’s battery.

Upcoming versions of Dynamic Control’s software might even allow further control of the wheel chair thru iPhone interface – something similar as MIT showed with WiFi… First response from user base is positive, as the idea to be able to buy an off the shelf product that has so many features for powered wheelchair users is appealing.

The Massachusettes Institute of Technology (MIT) has recently invented a self-navigating electric wheelchair. But this is no ordinary electric wheelchair that operates through GPS because is uses the latest Wi-Fi technology that can also be used indoors. To operate this device, it has a microphone and screen for visual and audio input options to make it easier to use. According to its one of its developers Nicolas Roy, the Wi-Fi operated wheelchair can learn and adapt to its user through voice recognition. Since it can be used indoors, it will be able to identify a certain building, as to where the user has to go even on the first “orientation.” 

For its initial test, there were 100 patients with multiple sclerosis and brain diseases at a Boston Home in Dorchester who tried out this system. Other considerations for improvement are still studied at MIT by other scientists involved in this project that uses Wi-Fi like side-field cameras and laser range finders setup with computers to create an internal map around the environment as the user moves around, even outdoors. Roy also thought about adding collision-avoidance system that uses detectors for the wheelchair to refrain from bumping into walls and other wheelchairs, as well as other obstacles.

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Knowing the right wheelchair for your needs is crucial to finding happiness in your life.  Depending on your type of handicap and several other factors, you may find yourself looking for an electric wheelchair.  You should always consult with your doctor before making any decision of this magnitude, but rest assured that you have many viable options.  Making sure that you have the right electric wheelchairs scooters can make your life so much easier.

First, what is the difference between a scooter and a normal wheelchair?  The main difference is, more power!  While a normal wheelchair is propelled by your arm strength (or hopefully, the arm strength of a good friend or family member, walking behind you) a scooter is powered by a battery.  While in an electric scooter, the occupant simply pushes a joystick in the direction they want to go, and a silent, powerful motor drives the chair.  It is safe, efficient, and in some cases users report that the experience is downright fun.

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The shape of the Toyota i-swing looks like it is something that we wear and does not give the feeling of something that we drive. This model was first came into prominence in the Auto Show at Tokyo in 2005, and was showed again in perfected form in late 2008. The straight two wheeler model occupies very less space on the crowd filled places like sidewalk, etc. It helps you in gliding at a decent pace and on an even pace to that the partner you are having a conversation with. If you want to increase the speed, you can convert into three wheeled model and can be driven easily on the road. It has an inbuilt AI which helps in learning the habit of ours and the personal preferences making it just as an extension of your own self.

This model of Toyota i-swing will help us never having to walk anywhere else with its multi mode conversion options. Thus with its two-wheeled mode you can use it when you are walking and if you want move faster or drive at the regular speed. It actually gives us a wearable sort of feeling when using it. This would surely become an alternative to car in the very distant future.

The long term work of Toyota on single person travel vehicle has got its shape in the form of Toyota i-swing. This is also the result of their long drawn research that they put in on personal mobility vehicles.

The control of this i-swing is in the form of joysticks, actually with two of them. They maximum speed that this i-swing can achieve is 36 mph. It is tentatively priced at between $7000 to $8000. But what makes this really unsafe is the fact that driving at 36 mph without any protection or airbags. Thus Toyota has to work on this fact before they actually bring this into market.

More info at Toyota.

Aaron Fotheringham was competing against himself when he found a place in the Guinness book of records as the first person to complete a back flip in a wheelchair. He has been doing it ever since 2006 when he did it for the first time. But this time on October 25th, it is officially recorded.

Aaron Fotheringham suffers from a medical condition called spina bifida has been wheel chair bound for the last 3 years.

It was a risky move to complete this wheel chair stunt as he could have hurt himself in the event of losing his concentration or speed and falling on the ramp. Aaron Fotheringham fell and hit the ground a couple of times before he completed the back flip.

To watch video, visit this page.

Instead of revolutionary new accessability device, today we decided to help our friends at NSCIA – the National Spinal Cord Injury Association… As you might know they have been helping to improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries and diseases for 60 years – since 1948. Since this organization is _big_ in world of modern electric wheelchairs and breakthrough  assistive technology, so please help their and our cause!

Become NSCIA member for FREE, help NSCIA get $5! 

NSCIA invites all interested to become their members (there is no membership fee for individuals). Their sponsor – Medtronic, the global leader in medical technology, has offered to donate $5 for every person who accepts their invitation to become a member of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) before January 15th!  Please join as a member at NSCIA homepage – www.spinalcord.org.

By the way – if you choose to do a noble act and DONATE to NSCIA – until January 15, Medtronic WILL MATCH YOUR GIFT. So NSCIA receives double! 

This will directly affect all those who live with spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) – the community of

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In start of October, a powered wheelchair that moves when user thinks on particular word, was demonstrated by American company Ambient. The electric wheelchair operates by catching the signals sent from

user's brain to their larynx (voice box), even when there is no audiable sound. Wheelchair was developed to help people with spinal injuries, or neurological problems like cerebral palsy or motor neurone disease. This revolutionary brain interface allows user to operate computer and other equipment despite serious problems with muscle control. Similar to autonomous remote controlled electric wheelchair we already wrote about, this system allows user even more freedom, as all user has to do is think of the word. System consists of larynx (voice box), which user must be able to operate – and most likely can, even in the event of poor muscle coordination necessary to produce coherent speech.

This breakthrough voice boy system called larynx control system, or shortly "Audeo", was developed by researchers Michael Callahan and Thomas Coleman at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, US, who together also founded Ambient. 

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Even if visitors of Tokyo Motor Show expected revolution in electric car design, Toyota's i-Real is a leap forward compared to today's electric wheelchairs. i-Real is answer on how to relax legs, but ride in personal transporter device that looks as sleek as a Segway?

Now the next generation in this exciting personal mobility series is here – as almost every year on Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota introduced a new high end electric wheelchair concept, the new i-Real three-wheeled chair. The i-REAL is a personal mobility vehicle that represents the next stage of Toyota's personal mobility vehicle development, following the PM, i-unit and i-swing.

Toyota's i-real might lead to the next generation mobility devices for the handicapped. Its great design and mobility makes is ideal companion for metro users. i-Real represents next-generation of personal transport, positioned as a tough competitor to Segway offering an adjustable wheelbase – at slow speeds and in crowds the space between the two front wheels and one rear is small, thereby increasing maneuverability and lifting the rider up to eye-level…

Toyota is already dominating the green vehicle scene thanks to its Prius hybrid electric car. But Toyota is looking for expansion to new territories, and personal mobility is hotter than ever.  

Opinions are still divided – is it wheelchair, or is a scooter? Well, if you will call Segway a scooter, you can call i-Real a wheelchair. But truth is that both are new type of personal mobility devices, urban personal transporters.

Toyota is targeting i-Real at a variety of seated users who need to move around. Transporter offers a upright seating position that reclines as speed increases. Maximum speed of device is

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Each day future of mobility looks less and less like the automobile – old concept of moving a few tons of steel to carry one or two people is far from optimal, and in the age of global warming, eco-friendly transportation is becoming hot topic. Analytics already voiced expectations that market for short-distance, one and two person transport vehicles will emerge very soon (by 2009), and we speculate that first design units to accommodate this new market, are being developed today under electric wheelchair tag…

Recently we saw plethora of electric wheelchairs with a fuel cell unit, and here we are reviewing five of them… The most coverage definitely got Suzuki's MIO concept, which was based on Suzuki's previous electric wheelchair "Senior Car" operable with a handlebar, but is now a motor driven wheelchair that runs on electricity produced by fuel cell unit. MIO is told to be user-friendly and also boasts a longer travel range compared to existing electric wheelchairs with a lead-acid battery. MIO's fuel cell unit employs a direct methanol that directly supplies methanol to the cell for hydrogen reaction along with a large-capacity Li-ion secondary battery. The hybrid wheelchair can run 40 km (25 miles) or more with one recharge of methanol (4 liters), and allows easier handling because there is no need to recharge from the mains power source as with electric wheelchairs, and at the same time offers user more information thru LCD display with information on remaining fuel, power generation state… Details on the fuel cell unit and the Li-ion secondary battery were detained, as Suzuki marked MIO as a prototype. This could mean that MIO still has many problems or that

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