Standing Wheelchair offers heightened opportunity for paralyzed individuals

While this new adaptation of a wheelchair may resemble a certain human transporter device, the humbly-named Standing Wheelchair just might be regarded with a tad more sincerity than the dear 'ole Segway. This two-wheeled cruiser was designed to give those who have lost some of their motor functions -- paraplegics in particular -- a new way to experience the world. Pending the device actually getting built, the engineering would seem quite impressive, ditching the unfashionable style often times associated with wheeled contraptions for the handicapped, and instead blending functionality with (fairly) unobtrusive lines that shouldn't draw the wrong kind of attention at first glance. Currently, those unable to walk unassisted have to resort to less-than-ideal methods to get around, and even when carted in a traditional wheelchair, they're forced to view the world a few rungs lower than the average joe (unless, of course, they're using the iBOT). Apparently this device solves that dilemma, and offers those with paralyzed lower limbs a new way to make use of their legs. While little detail is given on how the wheels are actually controlled, we can (hopefully) assume that sufficient safeguards were built-in to prevent certain catastrophes from occurring (i.e. peeling out from under you) -- while ideas to mobilize the disabled are often glossed over (or just not taken seriously), it's quite possible this Standing Wheelchair concept could raise a few eyebrows.

[Via Mobile Mag]

[Andre @ Aug 16th 2006 4:58AM]

If they can find a way to get the segway to fold into a chair of sorts and be able to transport those who are paralyzed from the waist down, that would be a marvel.

[Gil @ Aug 16th 2006 5:21AM]

First I want to see it built then we'll talk about how revolutionary it is.

Those concept drawings are missing any place for motors, batteries and control hardware. Don't get me wrong, this is going to be great if they can pull it off, but for now it's pure fantasy.

[Tech^CF @ Aug 16th 2006 5:31AM]

Gil:

Ever seen a Segway? Or read about the Siemens in-hub-motors here some days ago? Look at the half-moon shape in the weelhubs. There is space there and in the platform. Conrols are missing (feet control is a bad thing when those using it are paralyzed), but could be wireless

[jesusbomb @ Aug 16th 2006 5:42AM]

I feel compelled to point out that the technology behind the segway was intially developed as a means of transport for the disabled. The original protoype for the segway was a device nicknamed 'fred upstairs' (after fred astaire) which, in addition to it's ability to gyroscopically balance like the segway, had the ability to climb stairs, by means of wheels mounted on top of one another in rotation to hoist the user up stairs. The subsequent planned consumer version of the device was code named 'ginger' as in 'fred and ginger' -- get it? -- and eventually became what we know and love as the segway.

[Arghile @ Aug 16th 2006 5:44AM]

Since we're mentioning the Segway, I don't see how this will be significantly superior to the IBOT: http://www.independencenow.com/

[Gaz @ Aug 16th 2006 5:47AM]

Does this remind anyone else of the floating chair that old George McFly used in Back to the Future 2? Except with wheels of course...

[Chris Gregg @ Aug 16th 2006 5:53AM]

More on the IBOT (as noted above, a better solution): http://www.wpi.edu/News/Transformations/2002Winter/ibot.html

[Gil @ Aug 16th 2006 5:55AM]

The wheelhubs of the segway are full for a reason and the "feetboard" of a segway is very thick. One more thing is that the segway has a very limited autonomy. Not only must this device have a much bigger autonomy but it also has to be able to convert from seat to "stand-up" mode and that takes aditional power and motors.
Where are these in the design?

Also Siemens VDO idea is admirable but the drawings I've seen show it occupying almost the entire wheel.

As I said: for now... nice drawing

[Keith L. Dick @ Aug 16th 2006 6:07AM]

Believe it when I can actually see it and also use it...

[DT @ Aug 16th 2006 6:30AM]

Of course, thanks to the Segway, anyone who sees someone using these will assume he is not paralyzed, but an idiot on a Segway.

[Ricardo @ Aug 16th 2006 6:54AM]

fantasie or not, it's a great idea. The most amazing objects we have today, like a simple microwave, were just fantasies afew years ago. Well, except the Internet. Nobody expect that, not even hollywood.

[morty salt @ Aug 16th 2006 8:04AM]

Can you say FACE PLANT

[KV @ Aug 16th 2006 10:23AM]

Student project... it must be. A lot of details are not thought through. I guess they will have a lot to learn from the Segway guys.

[moondy @ Aug 16th 2006 10:37AM]

From a common sense point of view, how exactly are paraplegics suppose to balance the thing let alone stand without falling flat on their faces.

I have the belief that whatever the human mind is capable of thinking, we can create. So yes i do see this as plausible but unless there are notable features (such as hover technology to keep it standing up right) this will be little more (as said before) then a wild girls dream.

[zoara @ Aug 16th 2006 10:40AM]

Andre, I think you missed the point.

[Finished.Law.School @ Aug 16th 2006 10:55AM]

Why not just cut off their legs and replace them with wheels instead of strapping them into this?
I recall they did that with someone in the movie Doom and it seemed to work for him until he was turned into a giant bald rat...

[boynamedsue @ Aug 16th 2006 11:06AM]

How did andre miss the point. say you get one of these fancy doodads and go to the movies. now you're standing and all your friends are sitting... now you're trying to get out of your machine... straining, getting moved over to a seat, making sure its in no ones way.

now imagine you press a button and it folds you down to sitting mode.

[Tense @ Aug 16th 2006 11:22AM]

Oh, yeah. I see that happening. You press a button causing the machine to "force" you to sit down. Not aware (because you are paralysed anyway.)the somehow you were in a weird postition breaking your hip bones. But, you don't know. So, you sit there calmly watching the movie as you die from internal injuries. Exaggerated? Can it happen. Not likely. Is it possible. Absolutely. If I were disabled (paralysed or not) I would prefer the sitdown method altogether. But, hey that is just my opinion.

[boynamedsue @ Aug 16th 2006 12:12PM]

your opinion is asinine. There are already plenty of standing wheelchair designs that allow the user to from a sitting to a standing position. Its quite a simple range of motion. Also you seem to think a wheelchair user wouldn't be able to feel their pelvis being crushed somehow. True in some cases, but most people in wheel chairs can feel their legs.

Your concern is comicly exaggerated.

[DAve @ Aug 16th 2006 3:00PM]

Doesn't anyone think it's a little dangerous to be handicap two-wheeling through over rough covered terrain? Although it's just a mockup photo, the woman looks like she's heard some hypnotizing James Earl Jones voice saying, "Come to me child." Open your eyes and watch out for the cliff!

[interlard @ Aug 16th 2006 6:56PM]

At last! No need to be forever crotch-height to the walking world!

This better hit the market. It's just too good to not come true.

[Tom @ Aug 18th 2006 4:40PM]

As shown, this will not hold up a person who does not have use of his or her legs. There's no way that strap by its self will keep the person from sliding down. After a few minutes the person would end up sliding down to the point where those straps are holding the person up by the arm pits.

[Barry @ Aug 19th 2006 12:15PM]

The segway guys sold tech similar to this to J&J (I believe). It still hasn't been commercialized - the gyros have a tough time taking the shock required for medicare/VA-reimbursable status. For a stand-up wheelchair available today, you should look at the Vertran (http://www.vertran.com/) which was actually designed with the help of some engineering grad students by a guy who lost the use of his legs (and major arm movement) in a car accident as an adult. There are a couple of Euro companies with older technology, but the Vertran's the best thing going now.

[kenyon adair @ Dec 10th 2006 10:05AM]

I think the concept is outstanding and hope to see it come to fruision. Put me in line for the trial!!