iBot Delight!
A couple days ago Kate from Independence Technology gave Mom a demo of the iBot. She was a wonderful person and very adept at walking Mom through all of its functions.
If you’re unfamiliar with the iBot, it is a power chair that was invented by Dean Kamen (also the inventor of the Segway) that is capable of standing upright, climbing stairs and tackling rough terrain using sophisticated gyrometric sensors and computer power.
Below is some media from the demo. It may take some time for the videos to fully load.
The iBot being calibrated and Mom coming up to eye level in two-wheel mode.
Off-roading in the back yard with the iBot in 4-wheel mode. Mom’s scooter would definitely choke on this terrain.
Rounding a tree way back in the woods.
Climbing the stairs!
The iBot coming down the basement stairs. I have to admit that I was a little freaked out shooting from this angle but Kate, Mom, and the iBot handled these narrow and steep stairs wonderfully.
Mom touching down on the basement floor for the first time in about 8 years. Note Bowie barking up a storm in the background. He was a little nervous about the iBot.
A photo of Mom downstairs.
And another.
Coming up into 2-wheel mode in the kitchen.
A push from Kate can’t phase the iBot in two-wheel mode.
Mom demonstrating how she can reach tough spots using the iBot in two-wheel mode.
In the kitchen reaching a high cabinet
Your mom is on an i-bot! I cant believe it, it looks so good with her and she seems so happy. Much love
I hope she gets one! My father went to Dean Kaman’s factory and got a personal demo from Mr. Kaman himself. We sold them a van so that they could try the iBot in a lowered floor van. Mr. Kaman got into an iBot and told my dad to push him over, then demonstrated much of what your mom went through on things they had on the shop floor. My dad was amazed, and talked about it for a long time afterward.