Wildly Wonderful Wheelchair Design Concept
"With the Paralympic Games showcasing what people with disabilities can do, we wanted to look at design concepts and prototypes that may be a future reality for individuals with limited mobility. Industrial designers come up with all kinds of wheelchair design concepts — some seem spectacular, while others seem . . . spectacularly bizarre and impractical even if they are aesthetically pleasing. Most concept wheelchairs never make it to market, even if they do manage to receive some sort of funding. We wanted to showcase all kinds of wheelchairs, even if we disagreed with them and wondered if the designers bothered to consult people who use wheelchairs every day, all day. Others wheelchairs seem so wonderful that we want to see them become a reality . . . more than that, an affordable reality since wheelchairs can cost more than some people’s cars. AngelBear, whose website this is, happens to have Spina Bifida, so we have a lot of experience dealing with wheelchairs and the dreaded insurance to have them, or repairs to them, approved. Please don’t take offense at any of the designers’ descriptions or word choices. We do not want to stifle creative innovation, because you never know what some designer may come up with in the future."
Reference: http://www.lovethesepics.com/2012/09/35-wildly-wonderful-wheelchair-design-concepts/
My Selection
HEROes Series of Sport Wheelchairs by designer Jairo da Costa Junior. If you’ve ever tried to wheel or push a regular wheelchair on a sandy beech, then you know it’s virtually impossible. Each of these wheelchair can navigate on beaches and can be used for beach volleyball or other sports. HERO Zupan was inspired by Mark Zupan, a quadriplegic who was also captain of the United States wheelchair rugby team, so it’s built to allow for beach rugby. HERO Daredevil was inspired by Marvel Comics’ fictional superhero Daredevil. HERO Xavier was inspired by fictional superhero and leader of the X-Men Charles Francis Xavier aka Professor X. Photos by © Jairo da Costa Junior
Mobi electric folding wheelchair by designer Jack Martinich is a compact electric wheelchair concept that can fold into itself within the diameter of its wheels. It’s made of lightweight materials and functions as a manual wheelchair, yet at the base of the wheels there is a battery-powered mechanism to help move the wheels forward or backward. With only two hubless wheels, you may wonder if there is a risk of tipping forward or backward. Gyroscope technology like is in the Segway, keeps the two-wheeled chair balanced. Photos by © Jack Martinich
Cursum – Stroller for wheelchair users by designer Cindy Sjöblom. “Parenting in the first stages of infancycan be incredibly challenging – add a mobile disability to the equation and you can imagine how daunting it might seem. The Cursum stroller concept aims to make life a little easier by adapting to use in tandem with a wheelchair. Swivel wheels, complete height adjustment, attention to comfort and visibility and advanced safety features give parents added security and a little independence to an already challenging life experience.” Photos by © Cindy Sjöblom via Yanko Design
Electric elevating wheelchair design concept by industrial designer Ivo Tanchev. Photos by © Ivo Tanchev
To see more of wheelchairs designs click here
Reference: http://www.lovethesepics.com/2012/09/35-wildly-wonderful-wheelchair-design-concepts/
