I use a motorised wheelchair, a powerchair, so the
evolution of technology in that field always interests me. Sadly, there has not
been much to get excited about in the last 20 years! As incredible as that sounds considering the
amazing technological advances that we've experienced during this time it is
unfortunately true. Powerchairs live in the technology world's equivalent of
the Dark Ages!
In the last two decades we have seen materials such as aircraft grade aluminium, titanium and carbon fibre move from
exclusive high technology domains into mainstream construction, yet they
haven't made it into powerchairs. We have witnessed revolutionary developments
in battery technology, most notably lithium power, yet they haven't made it
into powerchairs. We have seen enormous strides being made in the design and
construction of office chairs and car seating for children, yet they haven't
made it into powerchairs. We have seen large scale commodisation of components,
leading to a tremendous reduction in their purchase prices, yet they haven't
made it into powerchairs.
As if living in a parallel universe, the powerchair
industry appears to have completely missed these advances, and continues to
release new models incorporating such space age components as plastic side
covers, drinks holders and six wheels instead of four! The mind boggles!
What we have experienced is the development of often
bizarre and unfathomable devices such as Johnson & Johnson's iBot which was
set to revolutionise the mobility industry, but was effectively sunk by the
ogre of potential litigation before it was even launched. The fact that it
called for a purchase price of $25 000 (R265 000) nearly 15 years ago did not
help matters, neither did its ability to instantly destroy household carpets
when turning indoors!
Every couple of months it seems that a university somewhere around the world sponsors a research project into the development of
a “new wheelchair”. Most recently a university in the UK started a project to
develop an “integrated multifunctional chair”, or more simply put, the
wheelchair which can be converted from a sports chair to an everyday chair with
a couple of adjustments. Now I guess we all would like some sort of
“transformer” wheelchair which can become different things at different times
at the press of a button, but reality needs to step in, and after all we are
talking about university, not a children's playground.
Even after it was pointed out to the researchers that
sports chairs, even the entry-level models, are very specialised items which
are generally completely inappropriate for everyday life. Anyone who has ever
seen or used a track chair, or basketball chair, or a tennis chair will testify
that any resemblance to a day chair is marginal. The fact that the researchers
were trying to incorporate some form of motorised power into their design makes
it even more improbable.
Who dreams up these research projects?
What a pity they don't choose something more practical,
where the findings might actually benefit someone. Each time I read of some
crackpot research topic it makes me want to tear my hair out. There is so much
basic work which needs to be done that there is no need for people to initiate
crazy research projects. We don't need “new wheelchairs”. We don't need
integrated multifunctional chairs. We don't need stair climbing chairs. We
don't need exoskeletons. We just need chairs made out of modern, appropriate
materials which are reliable, lightweight, and reasonably priced.
A far more sensible idea would be for the industry to
build a standard rear wheel drive motorised wheelchair using off-the-shelf
stock components readily available from engineering retailers. They should use
only corrosion resistant materials such as stainless steel or aluminium not
only to lighten the weight but also to prevent the rust and corrosion of
components in wet and humid climates. All of the components should be assembled
using only Allen-key bolts, in no more than three different sizes, enabling the
user to effectively have a maintenance kit in one hand. The motors should be
powered by lithium batteries which will provide an exponentially longer range
while also significantly reducing the weight. The powerchair should be
controlled via a (and this is the important part) "programmable"
joystick to enable the user to customise its handling characteristics to their
disability limitations.
Sounds quite simple doesn't it?
Not enough of a gee-wiz factor.
Strange thing is, nobody had done it yet!
Now for the challenging bit..... Given the number of
powerchairs constructed by the major manufacturers around the world (in excess
of six figures every year), and their collective buying power with regard to
the purchase of components it would be fascinating to make public the actual
cost of such a chair. I would be surprised if it even came to a quarter of what
we currently pay today (including labour). Perhaps that is why the university
research projects don't ask the students to try and construct a standard, but
better, powerchair since it would be rather embarrassing when they manage to do
so for a fraction of the price.
