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Permobil, a global provider of advanced rehabilitation technology, has launched what it calls the most advanced wheelchair power assist system on the global market.
A gesture-controlled smartwatch app enables users to simply tap the wheel to control the powerful SmartDrive MX2+ motor via Bluetooth. Steep slopes and uneven surfaces are tackled with ease, enabling active lifestyles.
The system combines the lightweight SmartDrive MX2+ power assist device with the extremely rugged PushTracker E2 smartwatch, which uses an app to provide hands-free, gesture-activated control and activity tracking with much greater performance and user-friendliness than the original SmartDrive control device. The system significantly increases users' ability to move long distances, tackle slopes and uneven surfaces, and handle tasks that can be a challenge for manual wheelchair users, such as shopping. By reducing the need for pushing, the system also helps to prevent repetitive shoulder strain injuries, which are common among manual wheelchair users.
Bruce Boulanger, president, business region Asia-Pacific, commented: "Since 1967, Permobil's technology has enhanced freedom of movement for people with disabilities and enabled them to fully participate in society. Now, for the first time, manual wheelchair users will be able to use a Permobil-developed state-of-the art smartwatch option to drastically improve their mobility and independence."
Ben Hemkens, director of operations, Power Assist, added, "As with all of our solutions, the SmartDrive PushTracker E2 was developed with the user in mind. Manual wheelchair users push their chairs thousands of times per day, which can lead to serious shoulder strain. With SmartDrive PushTracker E2, it's one tap on the push rims and you're going."
Chuji Kaseda, managing director, Permobil Japan, said, "With accessibility a burning topic in Japan ahead of the Paralympics in 2020, we are delighted to offer manual wheelchair users a solution that drastically enhances their freedom of movement. Based on the phenomenal response at H.C.R. 2019 in Tokyo, which was actually Permobil's first product preview in the Asia-Pacific, we expect a very positive response from our customers."
More information about SmartDrive PushTracker E2
http://www.permobil.com/en/corporate
https://permobilsmartdrive.com/
© Japan Today
1 Comment
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mmwkdw
When using a Wheelchair and pushing yourself, at least when you feel uneasy you can stop , but to fiddle around with a watch/app to stop...
Sure, there's some advantages to this, though let's see how things turn out over time with actual users.