Before the Segway , inventor Dean Kamen create a standing , self - equilibrate wheelchair called the iBotthat gave users more independence and freedom . It also cost $ 25,000 , and is no longer available . But a new all - mechanically skillful alternative might provide the same betterment in timber of life for exploiter , at a much gimcrack price point .
Created at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital by Dr. Gary Goldish who consulted with a squad of technologist to help hone the mechanics , the wheelchair ’s unorthodox design sees the paw - power driving force wheels severalise from the wheel that refer the ground . rather , the two set of wheels are connect with a serial publication of chains and gears like on a bike .
Using the same form of gas pedal - powered springs that make impenetrable cable car doors well-to-do to open , the wheelchair can be transformed into an good standing billet by the user . And once converted , the manus - power wheels remain at the exploiter ’s side so they can continue to propel themselves manually while befitting from a higher advantage point . Imagine how a wheelchair like this could make grocery store shopping , and reaching item on every shelf , so much comfortable .
For stableness , the wheelchair has four wheels that remain on the earth at all prison term , in either musical mode . And because it does n’t trust on electric motors , batteries , or any electronics to transform , the toll of build and asseverate the all - mechanically skillful wheelchair will be importantly garish than electrical alternatives . The Paralyzed Veterans of America cater the funding to serve build the image , but its creators are still do work on perfecting and refining its design before they move towards mass production and wider availability .
[ CBS NewsviaDamn Geeky ]
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