Category: Technologies

Navigating Powerchair Among CES 2023 Innovation Winners

Thursday, January 12th, 2023

Photo credit: WHILL, Inc.

The Consumer Electronics Show, arguably the largest gathering of technology geeks, honored 14 assistive technologies at its 2023 show.

The CES Best of Innovation Award went to an electric powerchair that helps users navigate large, often crowded venues like parks, airports and hospitals. With the WHILL Autonomous Model A, a user selects the destination on a touch screen, hits start, and lets the chair do the rest. It uses advanced mapping technologies, the latest sensors, and automatic brakes to avoid obstacles and collisions. Reducing the need for airport staff/increasing independence … what’s not to like?

Other honorees included a bidet toilet lift to give mobility-impaired users privacy and dignity and a digital system to monitor and manage digestive disorders. There’s even a handheld smart makeup applicator! Check out the complete list in this AT Today article.

What new assistive technologies have you used or heard about? Please share!  Email Rick Wyche, rwyche@atfmedical.com

All-terrain Wheelchairs Make Outdoor Exploration Accessible

Monday, November 21st, 2022

Georgia recently made all-terrain wheelchairs available at 11 state parks and other outdoor areas. The Action Trackchairs’ tank-like tracks can climb rocks, forge streams, and clear fallen trees. In partnership with the Aimee Copeland Foundation, Georgia has made the great outdoors more accessible to people who use wheelchairs. Georgia joins other states, including Michigan, Minnesota, and Colorado in this outdoors-accessibility mission. For the details, check out this article.