WHILL Type-A Four Wheel Drive Stylish Wheelchair!

Assistive technology products and concepts are always appreciated for their functionality and not necessarily their aesthetics, because traditionally, the focus has never been on how a product looks. The only criteria, really, for an accessibility related product to succeed is that it does its job well.

But why not take things a step further and make them look pleasing as well? What's wrong with making an accessibility product aesthetically pleasant and beautiful? In this age of minimalism and sleek designs, why not give "the looks" of a product some love and affection as well?

We already know that the WHILL Type-A brings technology and modern design together. The company that is combining sleekness, robustness and speed in the form of a personal mobility device has more exciting news for everyone!

The award winning team behind the WHILL Type-A comprises of talented people who've worked at Nissan, Sony, Olympus in the past, will be selling 50 units in California this summer and all over the US in the winter. Pre-order is available for an initial deposit of $500. The purchase price for this product is $9,500 which does not include shipping etc. I am hoping that insurance companies would be able to fund the purchase of this wheelchair for those who really need it.

WHILL Type-A can handle any kind of terrain without showing any signs of stress, thanks to its four wheel drive.

Did I say even snow?

Another big hurdle WHILL Type A helps the user tackle is going up steep slope. Who says four wheel drives are only for cars and big SUVs?

Talking about cars and SUVs, the WHILL Type-A is so compact that you can fit two in a car!

Want to see all the features of WHILL Type-A? Go here.

If you are a AT professional who work with clients in wheelchairs and go to exhibitions and events to check out the newest products, WHILL will be at the following events this year if you want to check them out:

- Abilities Expo LA

February 28th - March 2nd

Los Angeles Convention Center - West Hall A

1201 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90015

http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/losangeles/

- Test Drive Event at Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco

March 5th, 11am-3pm

Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco

649 Mission St, 3rd Floor San Francisco, CA 94105

https://www.facebook.com/events/581770515248363/

- San Diego Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference

March 19th - March 21st

Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel

One Market Place San Diego, CA 92101

http://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/2014/sessions/

WHILL Website: whill.jp
WHILL on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamWHILL

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Robot Wheelchair That Climbs Steps; Tackles Obstacles

Image source: Diginfo TV

A group at Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan has developed a new concept wheelchair that can climb stairs!

This robot wheelchair, equipped with four wheels, five axes, a joystick, and various sensors moves on regular surface just like any other wheelchair. However, whenever it sees a step, it lifts its legs off the ground and "climbs up" in a walking style. The user just needs to direct the wheelchair using the joystick. The robot has a bunch of sensors on its feet, and that helps it detect obstacles. These sensors are used to detect how big and far the steps are. On uneven surfaces, the robot uses these sensors to make sure the chair remains stable (the intention is to use this robot wheelchair on regular paved surfaces). This robot wheelchair also has the ability to line up its wheels, thus allowing it to make 360 degree turns even in narrow spaces.

As of now, Shuro Nakajima, the scientist leading the group behind this robot wheelchair wants more people to test this wheelchair so that he could get more data to tweak the user experience.

Check out the video to see this amazing robot wheelchair in action!

Source: DigInfo TV

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Shower Bay - Portable Shower For Wheelchair Users

Image Source: Shower Bay website

One constant problem that wheelchair users face is the difficulty in maneuvering their wheelchairs in bathrooms to take a shower. This ultimately results in expensive home renovations.

To counter this problem, Russell Simpkins of Forward Day, LLC, and his sister have come up with an extremely innovative product that lets wheelchair users take a shower pretty much anywhere in the house. Shower Bay's design allows for quick assembly in any room of the home, and no tools are required. The unit snaps together, and connects to a standard household faucet. As water enters the unit through a deluxe showerhead, the user can bathe comfortably with or without the assistance of a caregiver. The water is then pumped out of the unit to any nearby household drain. The following image shows Shower Bay assembled in a household bedroom: 

Image source: Shower Bay website

Shower Bay provides a small ramp that allows users to just roll in and out of the shower very easily, thus making the entire process very smooth and safe.

Given the unique safety advantages and the uncompromised showering experience, Shower Bay is the perfect bathing solution for many wheelchair users, including the following:

� Home owners who want to avoid a costly and time-consuming bathroom remodel.

� Renters, who generally cannot modify or remodel their apartment or home.

� Families seeking to avoid the high cost of assisted living facilities and keep their loved ones at home.

� Users whose mobility restricts them to the first floor of a residence (where the home has only a half bath on the first level).

� Families that have a loved one with mobility limitations temporarily stay at their home.

� Individuals who are rehabbing an injury and only need a temporary bathing solution.

� Users planning to change residences, who can move Shower Bay with them to their next home and not worry about remodeling ever again.

Watch the following two videos to see what the Shower Bay experience is like, and how easily it can be installed.

Shower Bay is available for $4200 from its website. There may be financing options available as well.

Website: ShowerBay
Facebook: Shower Bay

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MV-1: Wheelchair Accessible Car

MV-1 is the first ever vehicle to be introduced that is wheelchair accessible right out of the factory. Launched by a startup called Vehicle Production Group, the MV-1 is priced at $39,500 (and up),  and has been specifically designed keeping people with disabilities in mind.

The vehicle, which looks like a cross between a SUV and a mini van, is already available through 41 dealers in the US. The company already has orders for 4,000 of these vehicles, and is expected to manufacture 12,000 units next year, and 25,000 the year after. The vehicle is quite spacious - it has abundant head room and has room for four people in wheelchairs along with four adults plus luggage. It comes with a powerful V8 4.6L engine, and gives a mileage of around 15 mpg on gasoline or 13.5 mpg on compressed natural gas.

The MV-1 comes with a ramp that can be deployed manually, wheelchair restraining track, and a six way adjustable driver's seat. Spending a little more than $2,000 will give the MV-1 a power ramp with lighting and cruise control, among other things. It also comes up with a 5 year/75,000 miles warranty.

To see a list of all the features available in this vehicle, please go here.

Website: Vehicle Production Group

See the videos for more information:

Source: Autoweek via @Empowerability

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