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Not a Wheelchair [video]

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Re: Not a Wheelchair [video]

#11

Post by pkulak »

mdasen wrote: post #3

I think e-bike technology is going to get adapted to all sorts of new uses like this. I think there's a lot of opportunity to create great vehicles for people that will offer a good accessibility. https://rootedinrights.org/video/disabled-bikers/ This video shows bikers of many different abilities using many different kinds of bikes and it shows how versatile bikes can be for different people. I'm kinda curious why i…

Far more stability, right? I assumed that's why 3-wheel ATVs are banned pretty much everywhere.

Re: Not a Wheelchair [video]

#13

Post by easytiger »

hanniabu wrote: post #7
hammock wrote: post #4

They make rugged electric wheelchairs that sit on cat tracks. Would like to hear the pros/cons of this vs that?

Without having seen or used one, I would assume they're not as fast, not as smooth, more expensive, more difficult to repair, heavier, and potentially bulkier.

Top gear did a thing on it

https://youtu.be/ejkmQffNYjk

Re: Not a Wheelchair [video]

#14

Post by eagsalazar2 »

hammock wrote: post #4

They make rugged electric wheelchairs that sit on cat tracks. Would like to hear the pros/cons of this vs that?

If they use treads, they probably also have more traction on slippery surfaces. Having spent a lot of my life on snow, watching her go up that snowy slope made me cringe. I get she was with her husband and they recommended the buddy system, but I definitely would expect that thing doesn't just get stuck on soft snow/sand but also easily slides on harder snow and ice. Of course regular wheelchairs don't do any of that, still think this product is completely amazing. However if you lived somewhere where you were exposed to snow/ice a lot, one of the more expensive treaded options might be the right call for getting around in daily life.

Re: Not a Wheelchair [video]

#15

Post by Markoff »

4750USD doesn't sound extremely affordable for battery only up to 10 miles at best, so less than 5 miles one direction under ideal conditions. I dunno, I would expect at least better range from 4 wheels, simple body, suspension and electric enegine worth 4.8K. this seem like something worth max. half of the price they sell it for

I fail to see benefit compared to ATV - I just checked some shops and you can buy brand new gasoline ATV for like 3000USD, electric ATV around 5000USD. ATV will be faster, cheaper and have better range than this

Re: Not a Wheelchair [video]

#16

Post by a-wu »

I think the biggest impact of this is the price. There are other similar products out there (Bowhead and Outrider come to mind), but those are really expensive. In a world where mobility product prices are through the roof (my power wheelchair costs north of $50k), selling something like this for under $5k is quite incredible.

Re: Not a Wheelchair [video]

#17

Post by kube-system »

woriuweflksdncn wrote: post #12

I wonder how those rear wheels handle corners. I'm a little surprised they didn't use two independent drive motors, versus a single motor and solid axle, which could be extended to implement an electronic differential.

Probably just fine. It seems they intend this mostly for use on soft surfaces, where the lack of a differential isn't really an issue, even on large vehicles, because the surface itself is compliant enough to make up for the lack of differential action.

But even on a hard surface it might work just fine, because the turning radius looks pretty shallow.

The advantage is that a solid axle is simple, cheap, reliable, and performs well in low-traction situations.

Re: Not a Wheelchair [video]

#18

Post by a-wu »

Markoff wrote: post #15

4750USD doesn't sound extremely affordable for battery only up to 10 miles at best, so less than 5 miles one direction under ideal conditions. I dunno, I would expect at least better range from 4 wheels, simple body, suspension and electric enegine worth 4.8K. this seem like something worth max. half of the price they sell it for I fail to see benefit compared to ATV - I just checked some shops and you can buy brand…

An ATV doesn’t provide the trunk support that most wheelchair users need.

Re: Not a Wheelchair [video]

#20

Post by Zenbit_UX »

Can anyone point me in a good direction to start making something like this myself? I've dabbled with arduinos but never really large electric motors and battery packs. I think it would be a lot of fun to make myself an ebike or whatever this thing is.
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