The go anywhere wheelchair

JimH

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If you know anyone who is wheelchair bound and likes outdoor activities (hiking on trails, going to the beach, etc.) they might be interested in this.
 

Arkayne

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I configured mine with the optional TOW Missile.
tow.gif
 

cobb

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I think if I recall right, 12-15 grand. I am not sure, but one tracked wheelchair was a few inches larger than the ada regulations and if you watched the free video they mailed out, it was not possible to load onto a van, but they cut that part out.

Ive been over and over it, but there really aint no good wheelchair that is within ada regulations thats great outdoors. Wheelchairs arent geared or have the right tires to go offroad, not to mention suspenion.

Most wheelchairs will go on grass and some rocks, but after a few feet, you will find yourself heading back to paved surfaces.
 

Pila_Power

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There's one made here in Perth that was on some invention show on tv recently. Not quite a tank version but much more affordable for the average person.

Pretty much a standard chair, it had in place of regular wheels some wheels based on the design of a lunar or mars vehicle prototype.

Kinda looked like leaf springs radiating from the hub to make a slight curve out to the push rim. The metal leafs act to conform to the uneven ground, rocks, sand at the beach etc and is corrosion resistant, ie; designed for someone to be able to access the water at the beach (maybe more of a local perk).

Only downside right now is the need for another carer person to help push the chair but apparently this is being worked on.

Cost about $3500 Australian.

It's cool to finally see some great ideas coming out with regard to wheelchairs!!

:thumbsup:
 

bfg9000

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Wow, that tracked vehicle looks like it'll go places even an ATV cannot take you. Only thing is it looks a little tippy-tall.

The guy that invented the Segway also invented a $29,000 wheelchair that can stand up and walk up stairs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBOT and Sakakibara-Kikai last year developed the "Land Walker," the first bipedal exoskeleton (you know, like a battle Mech or the "Loader" robot suit Sigourney Weaver used in Aliens) http://www.sakakibara-kikai.co.jp/products/other/LW.htm.
Toyota one: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/special/robot/
Waseda U one: http://robots.engadget.com/2006/04/26/new-legs-japan-new-legs/
 
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ABTOMAT

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I don't think that "Land Walker" thing actually walks. The leg it moves forward with looks like it's always supporting weight. I'd guess that there are wheels with no-reverse clutches in them.
 

bwaites

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I doubt it's top heavy with all that mechanism and metal down in the tread area. It would take a heavy duty load up top to counteract that!

Craig or Cobb, what are the ADA guildlines for width/length for motorized w/c?

Bill
 

cobb

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48 inches long, 30 inches wide 600 lbs. In reality, the smaller the better. I like 24 inches wide, 47 long.
 

TedTheLed

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bfg9000 said:
Wow, that tracked vehicle looks like it'll go places even an ATV cannot take you. Only thing is it looks a little tippy-tall.

The guy that invented the Segway also invented a $29,000 wheelchair that can stand up and walk up stairs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBOT and Sakakibara-Kikai last year developed the "Land Walker," the first bipedal exoskeleton (you know, like a battle Mech or the "Loader" robot suit Sigourney Weaver used in Aliens) http://www.sakakibara-kikai.co.jp/products/other/LW.htm.
Toyota one: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/special/robot/
Waseda U one: http://robots.engadget.com/2006/04/26/new-legs-japan-new-legs/

bfg, just the items I had in mind when I finally started reading this thread!
I have a picture of the exoskeleton guy on my file cabinet -- that thing is supposed to go for $14,000... nice to know it's there if my bod ever craps out on me..
you know the segway guy also invented the portable dialysis unit?

not much tech info at the website on the tankchair, I suppose because they are custom made and the numbers vary, I'm just wondering how far you can go on a charge?

could this be a motorized alternative to a car for very short trips, esp. in muddy weather up and down dirt roads, maybe with a cab-over, etc..?
 

cobb

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I have or had a gripe against the segway wheelchair.

First off, its weight limit is 225lbs. I exceed that by at least 97 lbs.

Second its a powered wheelchair for a semi abled body person. Most insurance companies arent going to pay for a powered wheelchair at their preset limit of $3500 at all not along for a semi abled person. Powered wheelchairs are reservied for low and high lever quads and a few with muscular diseases. Sure anyone and buy them, you just need the money.

In order to use the stair climbing feature, you must have upper body strength to pull back on a stair well railing. Even then the feature is limited to a few steps. You are not going up several flights of steps with it.

As with the segway, the first models have had problems with the batteries dying and the stair climing featuring turning off and the chair needing to be manuall wheeled down the steps for regular wheeled operation. If it senses a fault doing up steps, it needs to be lowered to level surface by a second person.

I think its a good start, but will it turn into something better. There have been all type sof tracked wheelchairs that climb steps, go off road, but most are just nor designed well and the others are just too expensive.

I dont know about that tank tracked wheelchair, but there was one called the track about. It was ok, large and used the bump out motors from rvs to power the tracks. Those motors burned up pretty quickly under continous use.
 

LowBat

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I'm all for anything that helps the disabled enjoy the outdoors, but that monster truck is gonna trample more than just a few flowers.
 
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