Suzuki Motors unveils MIO: the fuel cell-powered wheelchair
By Darren Murph 
posted September 28th 2006 7:39AM
posted September 28th 2006 7:39AM
If you're trying to get away from that gas guzzling wheelchair, but feel a bit awkward rolling in the less-than-glamorous solar-powered edition, Suzuki Motors has got your back. Taking a leap forward from its previous lead-acid battery-powered electric wheelchair, the MIO is a motor-driven cart that gets its juice from an ultra-green fuel cell. The cell works in conjunction with a "large capacity Li-ion secondary battery," and while we aren't certain of how quickly this bad boy can streak down the quarter mile, it can supposedly cruise for 25 miles on a single fill up (four liters) of methanol solution. Aside from the power source, the MIO sports armrests that serve double duty as safety barriers, ergonomic handlebars, a comfortable mesh seating surface, and even an LCD panel that shows such useful data as fuel level and power status. While Suzuki insists the unit is simply a prototype, and refuses to hand out pricing details while it "judges consumer interest," the MIO should still be a bit easier to acquire than the sold out Tesla should it ever hit stores.[Via Far East Gizmos]
I love this article! .. What a ridiculous looking cart -_-
http://woodfurnitureetc.net/
http://woodfurnitureetc.net/5021/
http://woodfurnitureetc.net/5425/
Do you look silly? "Beeeep."
Do you want to look silly? "Boooop."
Does this remind anyone of the chair that Captain Pike was in on the original Star Trek?
Captain Pike's chair was instantly what I saw as well and I had to see who else thought so. So does that make this chair futuristic or retro or both?
looks like one of those child strollers they have at the mall.
So, I'm guessing Suzuki doesn't want people to use this inside? I know it fuel cell technology doesn't produce any harmful byproducts that would harm the indoor air, but it does produce water = slippery trail behind the chair. Maybe its just a ploy to increase their potential market by creating more and more parapelegics.
The Tesla Roadster is *not* sold out. The first 100 "Signature Edition" roadsters, with all the trimmings and a required 100% deposit have sold out, but you can still get on the waiting list. Now you only need to put down 70%; $70,000.00.
It's a nice car, if you have the cash.