The Ibot
Dean Kamen was sitting in the Ibot, balancing on two wheels, during an interview when the interviewer threw a 25 pound bag at him. The Ibot detected the arrival of the bag, and instantly moved to maintain its balance. Only during a slow action replay of the accident were viewers able to see the whirl of the machines wheels which enabled the Ibot to maintain its balance.
The Ibot is, its inventor insists, not a wheelchair. It’s not something you get pushed around in - in fact, when push comes to shove the Ibot can take it better than a person - but something that you wear.
One of the key points is that it give the user (wearer?) social confidence back. The feeling of being looked down upon is gone and normal face to face social interaction can resume. The effect can be powerful; one blogger reported that three weeks after purchasing the Ibot she was able to stop the drugs she was taking for acute social anxiety.
Then there is the difference in access. The Ibot allows the user to reach all those cupboards that were previously out of reach, while clusters of rotating wheels allow the user to navigate stairs - although the user needs both a stair rail and the use of his or her hands to do so. Curbs should also present no problem, and the Ibot is also able to handle off-road terrain - including sand, gravel and shallow water.
The Designer: Dean Kamen
Dean Kamen is best known for inventing the Segway PT, a transporter that balances on two wheels, and much of the technology behind the Ibot is taken from the Segway. The inventor holds, however, over 400 different patents, many of which are medically related and include the first insulin pump for disabled people.
Story behind the Ibot
According to infoworld.com, the technology behind the ibot has its origins one day when Dean Kamen was having a shower. As he got out, he slipped, and whirled to catch his balance. Which got him thinking - why couldn’t a machine do the same thing. This gave rise to the interplay of gyroscopes and microprocessors that are behind both the Ibot and the Segway.
User Reactions
Not every review has waxed lyrical about the Ibot, and with the first model of the Ibot at least there seem to have been problems with the stair function. Some reviewers have also complained that while, it does some things very well, when functioning as a normal wheelchair it just isn't as good as the power chairs already out there. However, in general, users have been very positive about the chair.
“This wheelchair has changed my life forever. I can reach things that were unreachable. I can look people in the eye while talking to them. I can traverse rough terrain that my old wheelchair would only get stuck in like gravel and sand. I can sail over curbs - no more dodging the traffic to get to the next curb cut. I can even do stairs!”
(Source: Go Ibot)
Perhaps even more telling than quotes are the number of users who have sold on their Ibots: two.
Unfortunately, due to the prohibitive price there aren’t many users - around 400 in total! However, don’t complain too much about the price. According to one report Johnson and Johnson invested 50 million dollars into the development of the chair (other reports say the number is close 150 million) - if just 400 chairs have been sold that gives a staggering cost of 125,000 per chair. And that’s before marketing, distribution, manufacturing e.t.c.
Do you have an Ibot, or have you used an Ibot? Submit your own comments or review.
Availability
The Ibot is available in the US on prescription only. It does not currently appear to be available in the UK, which is a real shame as it could potentially make a lot of difference to many people's lives. We have tried several to contact Ibot Now for information on availability and for other information, but have yet to receive a reply.
Movie
Note: this is one of several movies provided by the manufacturers.
Features
Overview
- climbs steps and curbs up to five inches in height
- can climb stairs
- can rise up and travel at two wheels, enabling users to interact with others at eye level
- can handle rough and uneven terrain
Functions
- Raises the user up to an elevated position.
- Uses gyroscopes to automatically stabilize the user.
- Can be maintained on the move.
- Stair function:
Balance function:
- Can climb and descend steps and stairs.
- Steps must be between 5 and 8 inches high.
- Stairways can be straight, L shaped or U shaped, and must have enough room on the landing for the Ibot to maneuver.
- For unassisted stair climbing a stair rail is required.
- Some upper body strength is required and users must be assessed to see if they can use the stair function.
Details
- Wheels: 12 inches pneumatic
- Range: 12.4 miles
- Speed (max.): 6.8 mph
- Ground clearance: 3 inches
- Turning radius: Length: 42.9 - 46.9 inches with footrest depending on size of seat
- Width: 25.2 - 28.7 inches depending on size of seat
- Weight: 289 lbs (131 kg)
- Battery: 2 67.2 volt batteries weighing 24 pounds each
- Battery recharge time: 6-8 hours
Links
Go Ibot
Site created by an Ibot user and enthusiast
Ibot 4000 Transporter: Full Review
A long and detailed review of the Ibot4000 by someone who is rather less enthusiastic.
An interview with Dean Kamen
Fascinating interview with the inventor of the Ibot.
