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The TEK Robotic Mobilization Device Offers a Key Design Improvement Over Wheelchairs
By Rain Noe - Mar 28, 2012
The central design flaw of a wheelchair becomes apparent during egress and ingress: A user that can only support themselves using their arms must insert themselves into the chair backwards. If you think about it this makes very little sense, and from a design standpoint it's a clear example of a user having to suit themselves to the object as opposed to the other way around.
The TEK Robotic Mobilization Device, in contrast, is designed for paraplegics to "enter" from a more natural, frontal position. After first seeing the device I thought it too robotic-looking, but after seeing the video I'm convinced of its design improvements over a wheelchair:
Enabling the user to comfortably perform tasks at standing height seems a huge boon, and I love that the RMD has an allowance for those awkward in-between heights that you'd encounter at a bar or bar-stool-equipped cafe. And while the device can't tackle stairs, it can travel anywhere a wheelchair can. Additionally, the much smaller footprint, which enables the RMD to go places a wheelchair can't (assuming accessibility to the location in the first place) seems a huge plus, particularly in space-tight urban stores where the aisles are narrow.
The RMD was developed by AMS Mekatronic, a Turkish concern dedicated to innovative mobilization devices for the physically disabled. Although they point out that they do not consider it a proper replacement for a wheelchair, it certainly seems to offer more functionality. There's no word as to whether production models are currently available for sale, but you can contact them for more info here.
Rain Noe
Rain Noe is a writer and industrial designer based in New York City.
7 Comments
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To Don P... Speak for yourself. I am a paraplegic, aged 40, and I'd buy this product in a minute. This isn't a motorized chair, this is an opportunity to get back to many able-bodied activities. Having just had reconstructive spine surgery due to sitting for 13 years, this product can prevent many long-term problems simply by allowing the user to stand up! I'm impressed and doubt that any paraplegic would turn down the opportunity to own this device... This product is as close to perfection as I've ever seen. And at a 15,000. price tag, I say where do I pay! Nothing narrow about my target market. Bravo to Tek!!!!!Report as spam
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As a chair-user, I had several friends send me links to this story thinking that I'd be ectsatic. The concept is interesting, but it is impractical for those of us with quadriplegia, and those with paraplegia don't want to be in a motorized chair, even a cool one. As someone else noted earlier, it would also be difficult to transport in a car. In my opinion, this chair has a very narrow target market. Innovation is good--keep on designing and trying new things!!Report as spam
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The device seems to have some possibilities around the home or office but it doesn't look safe to venture in too the outside World where a catastrophe awaits you at every "step" of the way. Good idea but needs major improvements and some thought to make it more adaptable to the outside and safer for the user. Thanks to all the tech guys that are helping us to get up and moving.!Report as spam
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I've seen this posted a on a few bogs, and I find it ironic that in each case the Segway was mentioned. Everyone seems to forget that the Segway itself was an offshoot of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBOT something that solves so many of the problems not addressed by the TEK Robotic product. Sad that the iBot is discontinued.!Report as spam
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This is a wonderful step in a new direction. It's great in the video how they spell out what all designer should do and that is: Step away from what you think an object is. We think wheelchair and bam we design something that is already there and nothing new. This will start a revolution of segway'ish concepts. This is a huge leap. Awesome. Let the haters hate!!Report as spam
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My biggest problem with this... inclined surfaces, or even small bumps. You can't balance yourself. Unlike a segway, this device does not lean forward/back. It would be very easy to tip over, and then you+this heavy thing are tumbling helplessly to the ground. The robotic "picking up" part is cool. If you can couple that with a segway-like self balancing base, I think you've got a much more viable product. Nice first step though!!Report as spam
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The general specifications of wheel chairs are way more complicated than illustrated in this video. Especially the footage of using the device in the supermarket is questionable (How does the device get in the supermarket? Can it drive to the nearest supermarket?). Although this design obviously provides several new benefits, coining the term improvement on wheel chair might be a bit misleading. More appropriate would be to see this device as local indoor transportation aid (in homes, offices, etc.)!Report as spam
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