Here at The Optimist Daily, we are big proponents of technologies that move the world forward in an inclusive and thoughtful way. That’s why we’re happy to share with you BRO, a futuristic, stairs-climbing wheelchair developed by Scewo, which aims to offer people of restricted mobility the opportunity to meet their personal needs and independence.
The wheelchair was first unveiled in 2018, when it entered designboom’s THE DESIGN PRIZE, and became the winner of the competition. Now, the four students behind the project have returned with a spinoff design featuring an elevated self-balancing and stair climbing technology, which ensures safe, comfortable, and easy-to-adjust transfers.
Acknowledged as a pioneer of important design in the medical technology industry, the motorized wheelchair marks the world’s first as it combines driving on two wheels when climbing stairs. As described by designboom, BRO features a sleek seat that automatically balances itself, ensuring an upright position when ascending, no matter the number of steps.
Users can also adjust height whenever needed, with the help of an integrated slider. In addition to modifiable height, as well as depth and angle of the head support, the design grants additional and easier stability for the head and neck is granted.
“I get to give my signature to a product that changes people’s everyday lives for the better. That means more to me than just doing a job. With clearly defined lines and a reduction to the essentials, the design team developed a clear design language. That way, Scewo BRO is seen as a new generation of wheelchairs at first glance,” says Simon Fanger, head of design at Scewo.
The wheelchair also includes specific incline angles and light and speed adjustments for higher adaptability in both indoor and outdoor environments. Additionally, BRO’s sensors and cameras transfer images to the user’s smartphone, enabling visual access all around.
Image source: designboom
