Man Invents Affordable Electric Wheelchair for Wife with Disability to Conquer Rough Roads

Zach Nelson, together with wife Chambry, invented an off-the-road wheelchair. He wanted to explore outdoors with his wife, who has been a wheelchair user for most of her life because she was paralyzed.

There are 2.7 million wheelchair users in the US. The prototype is now giving them hope to gain a greater degree of independence. Usually, they could only travel on flat surfaces or sidewalks. Some buildings are not wheelchair-friendly since they do not have ramps.

Not-a-Wheelchair

It started when Nelson spliced together two electric bikes and added a seat in the center. Over time, the couple built upon the original design to make it a more reliable off-roader.

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Nelson called the new transportation device, "Not-a-Wheelchair." Built with electric bike parts and large rubber tires, the machine can tackle almost any obstacle. Nelson worked with a Utah-based bike company for more than a year and now, he had produced a working model.

The husband told boredpanda that the price was the toughest challenge they had when they built the machine. He explained that they took some time to look for quality components and make a simple enough design to produce the most affordable price possible. He believes that everyone will be able to enjoy an off-road wheelchair at a fraction of the cost found on the market.

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Selling at a cheap price

The new machine costs way cheaper than a normal wheelchair. It only costs $4,750, compared with the traditional one that costs $10,000 to 20,000. Now, more people could afford a wheelchair and is an electric one too.

The Not-a-Wheelchair could travel up to 20 miles with a speed of 12mph. It could overcome harsh terrains like ice, snow, and fallen obstacles. Users do not have to bear a deafening engine as it runs entirely silent powered by electricity. It will also not scare away animals with its almost silent sound.

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The couple tested the machine twice in Hawaii. They had to ship the bike with a freight company before they went there. A week before they fled to Hawaii, the couple shipped The Rig, so it was waiting for them when they arrived.

They did that before the COVID happened. Thankfully, they live near the mountains with long wide flat trails covered in snow so they could try the bike.

Traveled distances already

Chambry has already traveled more than 1,000 miles using her new vehicle. She has also visited and explored the great American outdoors. It would have not been possible with the normal wheelchair.

She said that she experienced a whole new level of freedom with her new machine. Apart from traveling distances she never thought she could, now, she could do so without getting sore shoulders.

The mass production is helping more people get one for themselves. The ingenious idea that Nelson had given hope to millions of people who never thought they could travel places.