5 Updates in Wheelchair Design & Technology
Developments in design and technology are truly transforming the way we live and helping people make the most of day-to-day life. Freedom of expression has never been more prevalent than now, and all the while we have the convenience of smart phones allowing us to send emails, make bank transfers and even lock our doors at home with just the touch of a button!
To help you stay updated, here we’ve chosen five of our favourite developments in wheelchair design trends and technology:
1. Electric Wheelchair Headlights
Just like headlights you have on a Wheelchair Access Vehicle (WAV), electric wheelchairs can be fitted with custom designed headlights and taillights to improve visibility and safety. Most of them come with an easy-to-use remote for added convenience. Headlights can help wheelchair users avoid potholes, steep curbs and uneven ground in dimly lit areas or at night. Take a look at electric wheelchair headlights here.
2. Personalised Spoke Guards
For many people, their wheelchairs are considered an extension of themselves so more often we are seeing personalised ones! Accessorising a wheelchair allows a person to express themselves, similar to the way clothes showcase individual style. Personalised Spoke Guards are an easy way to add character to your wheelchair, with many companies offering custom designs including your own drawings or photographs! Custom Spokeguards come in a range of colours, patterns and sizes to suit your wheelchair and personal taste.
3. Smart Drive
From going to pick up groceries to walking the dog, Smart Drive Power Assist is revolutionising the way people move in their wheelchairs. It’s an electric powered device which allows you to transform your manual wheelchair to electric in seconds for an extra boost up steep hills or during long journeys. Using Pushtracker, a connected wearable device, you can activate your Smart Drive with just the tap of your hand which means you don’t have to reach or push to get started!
4. The Superstar
Swiss company Küschall made a wheelchair which they claim is the world’s lightest. Made from the Nobel Prize winning material, graphene, the Superstar Wheelchair weighs in at a mere 1.5 kilos! Graphene is said to be the strongest and lightest material ever tested and known to mankind. This wheelchair offers tailor made mobility for active wheelchair users to push themselves further and better than ever.
5. Soft Wheels
Soft Wheels are designed to create a smoother ride in daily life for wheelchair users. The innovative suspension system helps reduce pain and enhance comfort as you go about your day. Soft Wheels absorb shock and vibrations on all types of terrain so you don’t ever have to hold back or take an alternate route. The innovative product is helping wheelchair users feel more secure and less fatigued so they can do more, without limits.
At Automobility we are dedicated to enabling life’s journey! We design our Wheelchair Access Vehicles (WAVs) to meet the specific needs of every individual.
If you’d like to know more about how a WAV can benefit your lifestyle, you can contact our team here. We are more than happy to support you along the way.
