Wheel Chair Breaking Invention

Great invention for self breaking wheelchair by inventor Jerry Ford. Basically it allows the chair to be used as a walker when the individual is out of the chair. It automatically locks the wheels when the individual's weight is off the wheels, and unlocks when they sit down. The wheels can also be locked or unlocked whether the individual is in the chair or not, so that care givers can move the empty chair.Watch the video for the full story.
More pictures via David Friedman Photography

Inventor Portrait: Jerry Ford from David Friedman on Vimeo.

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Toyota's Brain Controlled Wheelchair

In a step that goes beyond hands free Twittering, Toyota has developed a wheelchair that can be controlled using an individual's mind.

"The BSI-TOYOTA Collaboration Center (BTCC; Hidenori Kimura, Director), has succeeded in developing a system which utilizes one of the fastest technologies in the world, controlling a wheelchair using brain waves in as little as 125 milliseconds" -Press Release

• Press Release
• Information Week article
• Youtube video
  

via Slashdot

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Add Power to Manual Wheelchair

Great attachment for a manual wheelchair making it a power chair. Looks a bit bulky for daily use, though the video (below) shows the user coming out of a van. It seems like its utility would be for occasional use or for amusement parks such as Disney or national parks with paved or hard pack trails. It would allow individuals for whom a manual chair is great for every day use to have greater access to these resources.

"Here is a video demonstration of the "Quadster" wheelchair assist device invented by Franklin Butts and David Gowan of Auburn University. This versatile device easily attaches and detaches to a variety of manual wheelchairs to provide the option of an easily controlled electric assist motor. Contact the Auburn University Office of Technology Transfer (ott@auburn.edu) for technology and licensing information."

Via Wheelie Catholic

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Renegade All Terrain Wheelchair

A great new design for an all terrain wheelchair built here in Maine called the Renegade. It uses mountain bike like wheels and ratcheting mechanism to allow the user to propel the chair using two oar like handles on either side. The oars are pushed front to back, and there are gears to control the amount of tension on the handles. Designed for rough terrain such as rocks, sand or the woods. It even has optional gun rack, fishing pole holder, trailer hitch and accessories for plowing.
It looks like it would take a fair amount of upper body strength, but a great design and unique idea. Chairs start at $3,995
Visit the Renegade site for more information or the inventors You Tube Channel for more video of the chair in action.

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Paraplow- the Wheel Chair Snow Plow

Charlie's Homepage on You Tube

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BBCs missing model Pt III (the final chapter)

After two previous posts on this issue, this (may be) the final chapter about this show. (Pt I and Pt II) A winner has been crowned in the BBCs show the missing Model. The Telegraph (UK) has an article about the winner, Kelly Knox.

Since the original post, I have become aware of a beauty pagent here in America called Ms. Wheelchair America (no prizes for guessing who the contestants are). Sadly, according to the official Ms. Wheelchair America website, Maine was not represented this year.

Ms. Wheelchair Texas Flicr collection

Maine VRC Missing Model Pt I

Maine VRC Missing Model Pt II

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You do what you have to do...

Ahhh, the accessible London Underground
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86598108@N00/345522486/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/86598108@N00/345522488/