Generally wheelchair users do not need electric wheelchairs. However, if one needs to cover long distance or move alone across the home, the thought of owing an electric wheel chair must have come in their minds.
Well, one need not go for buying a fully equipped electric wheel chair, all thanks to the WHILL technology, which has made it possible for an ordinary wheel chair to function as an electric wheel chair, as and when the need arises. Tokyo Motor Show recently showcased a prototype of the WHILL technology. The WHILL can be clamped to any existing wheel chair and it provides the wheel chair with electric drive.
The concept of WHILL technology is simple. Two circular hubs attach to the outside center of wheelchair wheel. The hubs are connected through curved control section and is bridged over the waist of the person using the same. Manual adjustment of angle of that section can be done by the user. The hubs can also be locked on to the wheels.
The hub is powered by a lithium ion battery and each of the hubs contains twenty four volt motor.
The lithium ion battery help the chair wheels turn and move, helping them attain a top speed of twenty km per hour. The charging time of the battery is two hours under normal working circumstances and it can work for a distance of thirty km at a stretch.
The rotation speed of the wheels can be adjusted, as per individual requirements. Field tests are underway and soon this innovative product that promises to make the lives of people facing challenges, owing to their physical deformities, will hit the market.
An innovation, indeed WHILL technology promises to revolutionize the world of the challenged people.
Via: Gizmag
