Superfourin wheelchair opens up a new world to the disabled

A radical new GPS-enabled wheelchair with fat tires and four-wheel drive may soon offer disabled individuals the ability to tool around almost any terrain while still being protected by a virtual "tether" to a remote command center. The Superfourin chair, as it's known, is basically a modified ATV with a hybrid engine, on-board computer, and embedded sensors to monitor both vital signs and vehicle status, and was developed by Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Information and Data Processing IITB in conjunction with Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH. Designed mostly for deployment in fleets for group outings into Mother Nature's thoughtlessly unpaved terrain, the Superfourin was also given high marks for solo use from its multiple sclerosis-afflicted test driver, who was able to enjoy the Thüringer Forest alone with his family for the first time in years.

[Via Gizmag]

[wendell h fears @ May 19th 2008 11:50PM]

I love the Super Four. I currently have the Permobil Trax standard seat and that chair is awesome.Sad to say they quit making the Trax.
The Super Four will be great for what I do.

[jeanbuyl @ Aug 12th 2008 6:24PM]

It is a Grand TOY but what about the PRICE ?????

[iptydafu @ Apr 20th 2006 2:09PM]

Fantastic, put a rifle that you can fire by blowing into a straw, and we're all set for hunting. Phb'b't.

[Zak @ Apr 20th 2006 2:11PM]

Wonder if that means fat people will drive them around grocery stores.

Sorry, that wasn't PC

I meant LAZY fat people

[Josh @ Apr 20th 2006 2:28PM]

Boy, I bet some pretty sick people could problaby think of a way to hack this and cause some horror amoung the elderly/immolbilized population.

[druby @ Apr 20th 2006 2:30PM]

So... which was it? Alone or with his family? Undermines the credibility of the whole story; I'm voting 'fake/photoshopped.'

[Spectral Flagellum @ Apr 20th 2006 2:51PM]

Sweet Recaro-esque seat!

[ROFL @ Apr 20th 2006 3:10PM]

What happens when I crash?
I've fallen and I can't get up.
Let alone turn it back over.

[Tom M @ Apr 20th 2006 3:19PM]

It looks pretty weak compared to the one at www.tankchair.com

[ChuChu @ Apr 20th 2006 4:03PM]

Whoa can you say "high center of gravity"? That thing looks like it would roll over in a stiff breeze.

[Sam Bhavnani @ Apr 20th 2006 5:10PM]

Does this waterproof definition include surfing?

[Sam Bhavnani @ Apr 20th 2006 5:11PM]

sorry...my posting was meant for the waterproof camera.

[sheepbat @ Apr 20th 2006 5:45PM]

First the MP3, now all-terrain disabled people.

What will they think up next?

[jeakill @ Aug 12th 2008 6:38PM]

Hey sheepbat whe will talk to you again when you are also 28 y in a wheelchair .

[Timerider @ Apr 20th 2006 6:01PM]

#6
Yeah, i'd rather have the tank chair.

www.tankchair.com

[tundraboy @ Apr 21st 2006 10:08AM]

Great! Now the disabled can help tear up the countryside. Big whoop.

[Woody @ Sep 20th 2006 9:47PM]

What kind of self centered person are you. My father is in a wheel chair and he does less damage than you and your horses or 4 wheelers that you use. So I guess that what you are saying is that if you were put in a chair that you wouldn't hunt anymore. My A** you wouldn't. They aren't stopped just slowed down. So take your comment and stick where the sun don't shine.

[Dave @ Apr 21st 2006 7:53PM]

As a disabled person, this thing sounds sweet from the standpoint of one more barrier removed for folks like me. As an environmentalist, I have to agree with tundraboy. Enough damage is being done to the environment as it is.
Secondly, the center of gravity is way too high. You'd practically need a Hoyer lift to get into the darn thing. Nice idea, bad execution.

[Razib Ahmed @ Apr 24th 2006 11:57AM]

When I see this kind of technology then I feel very happy to see the positive side of technology. Of course, the company has made it to make some profit but really we need more of these.

[Neil @ Apr 25th 2006 8:19AM]

This was demo'd at CeBIT this year in the futurparc. Demo'd with a video, not actual use :( The chair was pretty slick look though.

[Ins @ Apr 26th 2006 3:07AM]

The system is even designed to enable individual drivers to monitor an entire fleet of wheelchairs.

[Bob @ May 2nd 2006 1:19PM]

It looks like the Superfourin will get people with disabilities (not the disabled, we are people! Get it? ) where they couldn't go before. Sounds good to me.

The comments about a hight centre of grqvity are likely bogus. That is easily determined with a tilt table. THe weight of the rider is likely not that much relative to the machine.

Bob, Canada

[Dave @ May 20th 2006 2:19PM]

I wrote to the tankchair's designer, and he's not making them anymore, but is working on an improved version that he hopes to have out soon. That said, this vehicle looks snazzy and all, but it looks to be a stone bitch to transfer into/out of without something like a Hoyer lift.

I miss the outdoors very much and would love to be able to go four-wheeling again. I'm just not sure about this beast's practicality for paraplegics.

[George N. @ Nov 6th 2006 1:09AM]

Looks good... where can I buy one? I need an attendant operated version as my wife has both motor and cognitive impairments (runs into... well... everything). 2-up four wheelers are banned in most places except National Forests and BLM land and the tankchair appears to also be a terror to both the environment and any others on a trail. Just how high off the deck is the CG of this puppy? With all the critical comments someone out there must know...??? Been to Fraunhofer Institute in Aachen... pretty thorough bunch of engineers.

George N.
Boeing (retired)

[George N. @ Nov 6th 2006 1:41AM]

I hope if it is marketed the hybrid operation (engine running) is propane fired... if not for the operator then for any who may be sharing a trail with it. I've been around small engines and believe propane to be much less noxious/obnoxious.

George N.