From Space Daily, Tokyo (AFP), 26 August 2009
Robotics and medical experts in Japan on Wednesday unveiled the prototype of a new hi-tech electric wheelchair that resembles a scooter and promises greater mobility.
Users ride astride the four-wheeled Rodem—rather than sitting in it, as in a conventional wheelchair—steer it with a joystick and hold onto motorbike-style handles while the knees and chest rest on cushions.
The design allows users to slide more easily on and off the vehicle, lessening reliance on care-givers to lift them, the inventors said.
Read more at
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Japan_robotics_experts_unveil_sci-fi_wheelchair_999.html
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Relieving caregivers of some lifting burden is a move in the right direction. It will be interesting to see if this new design inspires more “new thinking” to a design that has been around for ages.
Posted on August 31, 2009 at 2:19 am.