Tokyo (SCCIJ) – A wheelchair of Scewo from Switzerland is making the life of disabled people easier. The electric chair moves more freely than standard models and can even independently climb stairs without the help of an accompanying person. After years of development, the start-up from Winterthur has now moved into commercial production of the Scewo Bro power wheelchair and already delivered the first two serial units.
The Scewo wheelchair can climb stairs. Now the first two copies have been delivered (© Scewo).
Independent balance
The Bro Wheelchair began as a student project for a robot to climb stairs and ride on two wheels. It now offers disabled users more freedom and flexibility. Design elements in the device help users overcome everyday challenges by considering accessibility and ease of use in natural-looking details for prosthetics and easily accessible functions and buttons.
“Our Scewo Bro drives on two wheels, which makes driving on lawns, and sand, for example, more pleasant and easier,” says Tabita Rüegg, head of marketing & communication at Scewo. “Another advantage of our device: Our wheelchair keeps the balance independently. This means that no torso stability is required from the user.”
Overcoming barriers
Scewo Bro automatically maintains a level of seating while driving. That creates a whole new driving experience. The two large wheels even master cobblestones and forest paths. The chair reaches a maximum speed of 10 km/h, the battery lasts for up to 25 kilometers, and the chair overcomes an incline of up to 6 degrees.
The chair climbs steps made of various materials, thus enhancing overall mobility. Whether going upwards or downwards: The machine takes one step per second and overcomes staircases with a gradient between 20 to 36 degrees. One step can be up to 20 centimeters high. The seat setting options offer back, foot, and arm supports to suit individual needs.
Hand-over ceremony
The first two customers – José and Michael – had pre-ordered the stair climber shortly after the opening of the presales almost two years ago. “This power wheelchair will give me a lot of freedom. For instance, I can now overcome small obstacles, such as door thresholds or curbs, which will make my life easier,” said José enthusiastically. Michael said: “I no longer have to plan, but can go somewhere spontaneously.”
The first series of the Scewo Bro is already sold out. If you pre-order the second series, you can expect delivery at the earliest in a year in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Export to other countries like Japan is already considered. The price of one unit starts at CHF 36,000 excluding VAT, transport, and duty costs, with the reservation fee set at CHF 1,000. Among the options are a rear camera and a drive-on ramp for car access.
Text: SCCIJ with material and information of Scewo
