The Zenith wheelchair, a design by the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Alberta, is fit with tank-like treads to climb up stairs under the user’s own power.
The treaded design combines with strong, lightweight tech like an aluminium back frame and a Herman Miller-inspired carbon fibre seat to create a beastly machine that’s not too cumbersome to actually wield. Still, if the design actually works – there’s no working prototype yet – we have to wonder: Why didn’t everyone put tank treads on wheelchairs already? And why the heck is Johnny 5 receiving better medical care than the citizens of humanity? [thedesignblog via coroflot via io9]
Guy
Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 9:47 AM“we have to wonder: Why didn’t everyone put tank treads on wheelchairs already?”
Somewhat to do with weight and added complexity, but mainly because of the additional rolling friction. Treads significantly affect a wheel chair’s ability to coast, so it’ll take more energy to travel over flat terrain.