Electric Wheelchair Future Technology

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.

What would be considered pure science fiction material not so long ago, is now becoming reality. The device called ReWalk helps people paralyzed below the waist to stand, walk and climb stairs.

One of first paraplegics to try the exoskeleton is former Israeli paratrooper Radi Kaiof whose life now changed dramatically, as he can once again climb stairs and face people face to face… A new powered exoskeleton suit passed internal tests and has already enabled several disabled to walk again. Suit is making strong converts among those who have worn it.

Powered Exoskeleton that enables the disabled to walk again is the brainchild of engineer Amit Goffer, founder of Argo Medical Technologies, a small Israeli high-tech company. Ironically Amit himself was paralyzed in an accident in 1997.

The suit consists of motorized leg supports, packager of body sensors and a rechargable battery located in a backpack. Currently suite is only useful for disabled that have full function of their arms, as user needs to control the unit via remote control wristband, which contains various settings like: sit, stand, walk, or climb.

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It always amazes me, how some companies know how to sell their goods. And electric wheelchair - pardon me – powerchair makers are no exception. Take look at this 2 minute Hoveround commercial, and see for yourself – they offer you free video, free test drive and bunch of other free stuff – just to call them. And if you have problems walking around the house or doing work – you most probably qualify for some discount or even have a chance to get this electric wheelchair for free…. BTW - want to know difference between electric wheelchair and powerchair? Click here.

If you have this powerchair, or know someone who has - please let us know, we are interested for a review.

Israeli students developed a simple voice controlled electric wheelchair, and posted a video that confirms its operation. They used cheap commercially available parts like hm2007 speech recognition kit and EMIC text-to-speech module. This module vocally speaks out warnings to the man on the chair.

Their initial plan was to use a cheap laptop (like Asus EEE Pc) for the speech recognition, as this would allow future upgradebility (such as a rear and side view camera, audio warning, and easier programming of the control logic) and improvement to the speech recognition software.

The cost comparison would hold, as the price difference between EEE Pc and hm2007 is small, and would not mean a big difference within price of electric wheelchair itself. Also the higher power drain should be small, compared with the wheelchair’s drain.

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Image via WikipediaTankchair LLC recently announced their 2008 model/remake of the original TankChair (from 2006)… The new and improved model, named Mk2 is electric wheelchair that was developed with mud, snow, streams, sand/gravel and other outdoor terrain in mind, allowing the user to get back to nature, or conquer home environment - including climbing up and down the stairs…

Similar than all-terrain electric wheelchair we previously wrote about 2008 model has lower center of gravity, more torque, stronger chassis, and improved incline and decline approach angles. It has rubberized tracks instead of standard wheels and looks more like a miniature tank than any of electric wheelchair cousins. It also has a full-height chair with abundant cushioning for added comfort to smoothen a bumpy ride. Electric wheelchair is using rubber tracks and high torque electric motors, and manufacturer guarantees that it will take you just about anywhere. Even the urban street and stairs, with a incline accent of up to 45-degrees!!

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Update to story on indian company manufacturing electric wheelchairs…. Watch nice video of live demonstration of Ostrich Mobility electric wheelchair - first electric wheelchair completely designed and produced in India. While device is expensive for 7 million of disabled Indians, it is one of the most affordable electric

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According to this page, Japan company is developing an electric wheelchair with integrated toilet functions. Development is at stage of creating a feasibility study, but the ultimate objective is to develop an "electric wheelchair with toilet functions," a piece of welfare support equipment ideal for handicapped. Whole concept is rarely found in existing welfare equipment today, although some of the models are available on the market… Majority of users rely on automation and accessories - elevators etc, to help them move from wheelchair to toilet and back.

Product is designed to help maintain the self-respect of elderly or disabled people, and since world turns around money, it is worth noting that elderly population is increasing, and that baby-boom generation is projected to enter "need for assisted living" phase in 10-20 years. The wheelchair will be designed for elderly or disabled persons who are unable to move from their wheelchairs to toilet seats by raising their bodies with their own arm strength, and who cannot be attended to by caregivers regularly.

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Small Indian company Ostrich Mobility based in Bangalore, might be the rising star in field of affordable electric wheelchairs. Company entered field of powered wheelchairs back in 2003, when first prototypes for indoor use were developed. In 2004 company launched two outdoor electric wheelchairs, Model 1 and Verve. Production was done in cooperation with SSS Industries. In 2005 company introduced first models with joystick and touch-pad, and in 2006 sophisticated electric wheelchairs for adults and children were put to market (models V100 and V40). In 2007 company introduced first ever electric wheelchair with split frame chassis that is base for new electric wheelchair - Pristine. 2008 model of Pristine offers top speed of 7 Mph (10 Km/h), and wheelchair's batteries offer drive range of 20 miles (30 km). Price of this electric wheelchair is 2500-2850 USD.

Recently company rounded its offerings under a global brand of E-wheels, where its unique ideas and engineering solutions are combined in what is the most cost effective electric wheelchair on global market. This is a must, as average Indian salary is below 1.000 USD/year. Now split frame design is put in all electric wheelchair offerings from the company. Company currently has production capability of 100 wheelchairs per month.

E-wheels concepts builds on quality manufacturing with emphasis on Safaty, Reliability and Comfort - providing solutions in vibration, speed, slope handling, terrain driving, center of gravity, night driving and summing all in cost effectiveness of final product, which - we are sure - many wheelchair buying guides will recognize. Company revolutionized design of its E-wheels, by implementing its own patented solution - the split frame.

The Split Frame Chassis assures good drive control, better maneuverability, good control capabilities when negotiating slanting and rough road conditions by reducing the side drag, ensures very fine control over the equipment when driving up or down gradient. In conventional chassis electric wheel chairs the wheels lift up when there is a level difference in the ground or floor the wheel chair is running. This can cause loss of control lead to accidents. The split frame chassis makes sure that all the four wheels touches the ground in a level difference up to 100 mm thus giving a better drive control and better maneuverability in tough terrain conditions. This design also helps to drive across inclines with in 15 degrees. The split frame thus reduces risk of accidents for an electric wheel chair. 

Care has been given to safety features to make the equipment ideal for any body. Tires have treads that adds more grip. The seat belt, bucket seat and head rest give the user safety at higher speeds. Special care has been given to avoid sharp edges that can hurt. The greatest safety feature is the invention of split frame chassis that allows all the wheels to be in direct contact with ground in almost all tough road conditions, resulting in improved

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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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