Automated Transport and Retrieval System for Wheelchairs Enables Driver Independence
March 15, 2010 by Luc
Filed under Blog Posts
Many wheelchair users transfer from their wheelchair to the driver’s seat but need to rely on another person to stash the chair in the car, limiting the driver’s independence. Thanks to a new technological invention, a laser-guided robotic wheelchair can now stash itself in the car. With the push of a few buttons on a remote control the wheelchair rolls by itself to the back of the vehicle where it is picked up by a motorized lift and guided inside where it securely locks itself. This whole process is reversed after the driver arrives at the destination. The system has been designed to work under various challenging conditions such as rain and darkness.
We are always excited to learn about new technologies that aid people with a disability, in this case giving disabled drivers more freedom. See a demo of this system in the video below.
To think that I sold my 2003 Yukon XL to Trade-up for the independence of a 2007 Silverado Pick-up and a Bruno Lift, with all of the added and additional expense and modification costs, and effectively loosing 4 passenger seats and dry inside storage, well, I am both impressed and yes, a bit angry that I did not wait a little longer, (AND THINK OF THIS MYSELF!!!).
The reason that I chose the Pick-up and bed-mounted Wheelchair Lift was additional Independence, I already had the costs of Hand Controls, and a wheelchair Lift in the Yukon, however, it required either assistance at my destination, or having assistance riding with me 24/7.
With a family and teenage children, usually no problem, however, with my Real Estate clients, well, it smarts a little when the client is intimidated by the required assistance with a wheelchair, and worse, when they cancel an appointment for the simple fact that their discomfort with a “small’ amount of assistance is intimidating enough to have them seek other Real Estate Advice from an AB Agent or Broker.
I used to laugh it off, as it did not matter, and it was their loss, (bad Attitude), and I still had the desire to be independent, thus the Pick-up choice.
I still like the freedom, and I can pull my daughters Horse Trailer, (which I could also do with the Yukon), and I like my economical Diesel option in the Pick-up.
Well, You now have me salivating for the enhanced Technology of the Suburban (or Yukon XL, I’m sure), I will just need to work twice as hard to be able to afford it!
Very Good Conversion, I am impressed.
Philip Strazzulla, Realtor
(and oh yes, L-1 Para)
Hi Philip,
I am a quad, but I can certainly feel with you. I have been in a situation myself a few times where I wished I had waited a little longer for a more advanced mobility piece of equipment to come on the market. Technology changes so fast these days and it is hard to keep up with it. But you can’t wait for ever to make a decision when there is a pressing need. On the bright side, the constantly improving technologies make life for people with a disability much more enjoyable and there is always a next time to do a technology upgrade when the time is right. Anytime we run into something cool and exciting that benefits someone with a mobility disability in a major way, we are likely to report on it.
On the other hand, it is so unfortunate – as you point out in your real estate job experience – that some people are still not comfortable around people with a disability even though we are human beings just like anyone else. I believe the more we integrate in public and employment situations, the more comfortable and accepting people will gradually become. Therefore I always give it my best at work to prove that a disabled person can perform in my job as well a non-disabled person, hoping that it will open the door for hiring someone else with as disability.
Luc
hi,
could you please give me more details regarding the robotic wheelchair
and its availability in india and price of the wheelchair.
thanks in advance.
regards,
dhananjay