iBot Wheelchair From iBot Mobility Products

What is the iBot you ask? Well, probably one of the most advanced electric wheelchairs in the market today.

The iBot uses gyroscopic stabilizers that allow the chair to perform various tasks such as climb stairs, ascend and descend curbs up to 5 inches in height, and even raise the wheelchair up on two wheels to place you at eye level with others around you. I imagine you can already see some of the advantages to this type of device. The iBot is not a Standing Wheelchair though, because you do not leave the seated chair position when elevated. You are literally raised up on two wheels and balanced in place. The chair can then be operated and maneuvered in this two wheel mode.

One other aspect of the iBot Wheelchair is that is has 4-wheel drive functionality. You can take this thing off road, in the grass, the dirt, the sand, and so much more. No, it won't get you out of a mud pit, but why would you go into the mud anyway. What the iBot does offer is a greater sense of independence by giving you the freedom to travel where you may not have been able to go before.

One last feature which we think it pretty handy is the remote function. This feature allows you to remove the User Control Panel and maneuver the iBot without a user in the chair. One use of the remote function could be driving the chair up a ramp and into a vehicle or storage, driving the chair for someone that has a impairment in the hands or an injury in the hands, etc.

So is the iBot for everyone? Well, that is your call. iBot Mobility Products has some standards that must me met first. Some of them are: -Weight: You and any items you carry must weigh more the 75 lbs and less then 250 lbs. Although the items you carry can not exceed 20 lbs. -Hand Functionality: You must be able to use the dial pad to perform various iBot tasks. -A variety of medical reasons which can be found on their website. -You must also complete a user-training program before you are issued the use of your iBot.

One other thing you should know about the iBot. You need a prescription to purchase one, so call your doctors if you think the iBot is the right chair for you.

*** UPDATE NOTE:

As of 2009, the iBot Wheelchair will no longer be sold, but support for existing units will be available until the end of 2013. You can reach iBot support via the phone number on their website.