iBOT Wheelchair
2003 – 2009
With advanced gyroscopes and sensors, the iBOT offered users a wider range of freedom and movement compared to traditional motorized wheelchairs. The iBOT could climb up stairs, easily maneuver uneven terrain, and lift its owner to standing height. Expectations were high: “This is not a wheelchair. This is an extraordinary machine that will liberate millions of people.”
However, after only 6 years on the market, the iBOT was discontinued due to high costs. Insurance companies and national insurance programs refused to cover the cost of £18,000 per machine. Although the manufacturer did everything to lower prices, the technology remained prohibitively expensive. The story of the iBOT reminds us that price is always an issue, even with the most useful innovations.
Additional info:
bbc.co.uk RIP iBOT: the stair-climbing wheelchair
Newmobility - The iBot is Back. Is the Second Time the Charm?