Recently someone inquired about a stair climbing wheel chair and how to get one as another option many may want to consider as an alternative to buying a stair lift.
One such chair is the iBot Mobility System which is no longer is production. Being that it could climb stairs, it gave many the ability to move from one level to the next without the need for installing additional equipment. This provides for even more greater flexibility and freedom, because you can go anywhere with this – not just limited to places with elevators, ramps, and chair lifts for stairs.
The chair offers four main functions that can help people get around better:
Four Wheel Function: Four wheels are better than two, especially when you are traveling on rough and uneven terrains. It can go up to five inches high, making it perfect for going over curbs.
Remote: Need to move your chair without you in it? The remote function allows you to do just that, very helpful for getting it into a vehicle for transportation.
Balance Function: If you’ve ever had difficulty seeing over counters or tables, the balance function can give you the extra height you need to reach things easily that you couldn’t before.
Stair Climbing Function: This is perhaps the most innovative and intriguing thing about the product – it really can climb stairs! There is a minimum requirement of what types of stairs it will go up – each tread needs to be between 5-8 inches high, 10-17 inches deep, and the landing (at the top/bottom of the stairs) needs to be a minimum of 52 inches. While all of this may make you want to carry a tape measure around in your pocket, these are pretty standard dimensions, especially for most newer residential and commercial buildings.
Unfortunately, the iBot is no longer in production, most likely due to its expensive cost of retailing near $22,000, making it difficult for most consumers to justify the cost and expense.
TopChair is another company that is verging into this marketplace, providing their own chair that climbs up stairs. However, it is manufactured in France and finding information to obtain one is difficult to do.
It seems that there is still a long way to go before most people will be able to get a stair climbing wheel chair. Fortunately for many people, with the advancements in mobility scooters and other products there is hope on the horizon.
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