And if you move in wheelchair Become natural and intuitive how to walk? Thanks to an innovation developed byÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Zurich (EPFZ)Enough a slight movement of the back To change direction, without the need to push with your arms. This revolutionary technology promises to reduce fatigueimprove the maneuverability and offer greater autonomy to millions of people with disabilities.
The project, developed by Reto Togni and Stefan Villigerresearchers of Biomechanical laboratory of the APFZ movementintroduces an innovative driving system to overcome the limits of the traditional manual wheelchairs. Instead of being pushed and maneuvered with your arms, this chair uses a mobile back connected to the front wheelsallowing the user to change direction simply by tilting the body to the right or left.
The advantages of this technology are manifold:
- Less physical effort: The arms are no longer constantly stressed.
- Joint protection: reduces the risk of chronic pains on shoulders and wrists.
- Simpler and intuitive guide: it is no longer necessary to curb with one hand while pushing with the other to correct the trajectory.
The researchers were inspired by the Skateboard movementsin which it is enough to move the weight of the body to change direction, thus transforming the experience of use of the wheelchair In something more natural and ergonomic.
Greater autonomy and comfort for daily life
One of the main problems of manual wheelchairs It is the high physical effort required for users, which can cause joint pain and inflammation to the wrists. The new chair developed atPfz aims to improve both comfort that the freedom of movementoffering a more fluid and less stressful experience of use.
A revolutionary aspect of this chair is that allows you to have a free hand while driving. This means being able Keep a phone, umbrella or cup of coffee without compromising the ability of movement.
Furthermore, for those who fear difficulty in maneuver in the restricted spaces, the researchers have provided one lever that allows you to Activate or deactivate control from the back depending on the needs.
Although this technology seems to have come out of a science fiction film, its marketing is already scheduled. A patent was depositedand one start-up it is being developed to make this innovative wheelchair accessible to everyone within 2027.
EPFZ is not new to innovations in the mobility sector: he had already developed Stairsa wheelchair capable of climb the stairs Thanks to an advanced track system. With this new invention, Swiss researchers confirm their commitment to improve theautonomy and inclusionoffering solutions that could change the lives of millions of people.
