Independence Technology IBOT 3000 Transporter
One of the most awaited electric wheelchairs of year 2003 left us with a mixed bag of feelings.
First off – this is hands down the best concept, new idea and overall realization – but devil hides in the details. This power wheelchair differs from others drastically, since it offers user 4 modes of operation: balancing mode, stair climbing mode, four wheel drive mode and conventional electric wheelchair drive mode.
Balancing Mode
This is by far the most usefull, entertaining and supremly crafted mode. Wheelchair climbs up on just two wheels, allowing the user to get up on to similar height level as people around – so one can talk more naturally and properly with familiy, waiter, almost being at the eye to eye level… IBOT in balancing mode is rock stable, although user needs some time to get the feeling and to overcome the fear of fall or general discomfort. Once this is at pass, user can really enjoy this mode, as it brings several advantages, of course, besides providing baseground for proper conversation with people around. IBOT 3000 can as a matter a fact drive around in this mode (which looks more scarier for third person than it feels from the user perspective) but is very safe, and even climb up smaller slopes, pass some smaller obstacles (doorways). User will want to spend big portion of the social time in this mode, including time in shopping mall, bar, public events… Speed of drive depends on the height of the seat (it is adjustable) – the higher user goes, the slower the wheelchair moves (due to higher center of gravity). All in all – controls in this mode are very natural but responsive, wheelchair is controllable, turning is smooth… Another advantage of this mode is great battery time, since draining of power is lesser than in normal or four wheel mode! This suprised us a little, since the wheelchair uses numerous gyros, which send their position, pitch and acceleration to the central processor (which calculates necessary corrections and motor several times per second. This allows the processor sufficient time to restore balance with use of motors. Even when we thought we are pushing the limits of stability (bumping the wheelchair in different directions) the wheelchair managed to stay in balance… We had no problems with balance mode, and we loved it!
Stair Climbing Mode
IBOT 3000 is also one of the first wheelchairs that can climb stairs. Although from the broshure this seems like a feasible way to move where no accessible way is, we would only classify it as a backup plan… The feature works, but it is noisy, slow, and feels like wheelchair will fall apart after very next step… Don't get us wrong – it works super on reference stairs – meaning if stair's width and height are close to one used at Independence Technology lab, but in the real world… It still is a way of getting around when no sensible alternative is available. Limit to this use it strenght of users upper body, as one needs to hold the handrail (or get help by second person), as wheelchair does not balance itself in this mode… Climbing and descending is a bit scary, but especially slow as it is not automatic, but relies on users leaning forward and backwards to move the wheels into right positions…
Four Wheel Drive Mode
Four wheel drive mode comes handy when out in the wild and when you want to go off the pavement to the grass, sand, over some mud or in garden, on snow… Also this mode helps on slippy surface where there is less girp – as in shopping mall, business buildings, schools… The users is seated a little higher than in normal mode since the wheelchair lifts the castors off the ground to keep out of the way. The seat remains level on slopes, and can be further raised. Wheelchair has a lot of torque in this mode, but this also means turning is a bit difficult. Especially on concrete or solid surface – one can hear the ripping sound of tires very soon.
Normal mode
This mode, in which the wheelchair should be used in house or at home, should behave like an ordinary electric wheelchair.
