At the beginning of the 20th century, in 1932, Robert McClellan from the United States invented the world's first electric wheelchair. This electric wheelchair uses a motor as a power source to allow users to move more easily on the ground. However, due to the technical limitations of the time, the performance of this electric wheelchair was not ideal and it was expensive, so it was not widely used.
In 1948, American inventor George Klein received the first electric wheelchair patent in 1948. These early electric wheelchairs were generally battery-powered and provided basic mobility functions, but their performance and reliability were poor due to technical limitations and of design.
In the 1960s and 1970s, power wheelchair technology improved significantly. Advances in battery technology have improved the endurance of electric wheelchairs, while improvements in motors and control systems have also improved the performance and reliability of wheelchairs. Additionally, wheelchair design began to focus on comfort and ergonomics, allowing users to use the wheelchair for extended periods of time.
In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a new push for innovation and diversification of electric wheelchairs. The application of new materials and technologies makes it possible to reduce the weight and volume of electric wheelchairs, while increasing the functionality and performance of the wheelchair. For example, features such as adjustable seats, anti-shock systems and automatic obstacle avoidance are starting to appear in electric wheelchairs. In addition, the styles and colors of electric wheelchairs have become more diverse to meet the needs of different users.
Since entering the 21st century, the development of electric wheelchairs has entered the intelligence and automation phase. With the development of artificial intelligence, sensors and control technology, electric wheelchairs have more intelligent functions, such as automatic navigation, voice control, remote monitoring, etc. users control and operate the wheelchair more conveniently.
With the development of science and technology, the design and manufacturing process of electric wheelchairs has improved greatly. Modern electric wheelchairs not only have superior performance, but are also gradually decreasing in price. More and more people with disabilities can enjoy the convenience provided by electric wheelchairs. Today, electric wheelchairs have become an indispensable part of the lives of people with disabilities.
In recent years, a new concept of “scooter” has been born among young people. Scooters refer to means of transportation and auxiliary tools for transportation purposes, including electric bicycles, electric scooters, two-wheel self-balancing scooters, unicycle balancing scooters, etc. The mobility scooter referred to in the industry generally refers to an electric mobility scooter. The electric wheelchair we know can also be considered the pioneer of this type of scooter. Electric wheelchairs are no longer limited to providing travel assistance for people with physical disabilities, but can also become a means of transportation.
In September 2014, WHILL launched the WHILL Model A electric wheelchair with a stylish look, aiming to become a new means of transportation for everyone to ride in an electric wheelchair, no longer limited to the disabled. , WHILL gradually entered the public eye.