Just think how many billions have been spent refurbishing older buildings with ramps & wider doors etc.. Instead of spending a score million developing a better wheelchair that can do stairs.
I worked on R&D for wheelchairs for a few years. People in wheelchairs don't necessarily want a chair that climbs stairs. What they want is a way to get at what's up those stairs. Most would be happy if you brought it downstairs so they could get at it there instead.
People that use manual chairs don't want power chairs and neither want plush bucket seats, which I was surprised to learn. We made a four wheel drive, independent suspension, power assisted steering, wheelchair that went over 20mph, could go off road, and you could raise it high enough to get at the stuff in standard kitchen cabinets (with a plush bucket seat). It did not go upstairs though.
Not one C-5 or C-4 Quad even wanted to get in it. Not one. Not even one Paraplegic wanted to take it for a spin. Not one. They all said the same thing, "It's too much, I would never go that fast and I really hate that seat."
I sure had fun test driving it though, it was one cool machine. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Bill
Previous Topic
Index
