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Power Assist Add-Ons For Wheelchairs Power assist accessories allow wheelchair users to travel longer distances and over difficult terrain. They also reduce the effort required for propulsion. This results in lower heart rates, and less muscle fatigue. The great thing about these devices is that they don't alter the look of a traditional chair and they are easy to transport. They are also simple to use. WheelDrive Front wheel drive electric wheelchairs give the most stable and power. The large drive wheels can “grab” the road and enable the chair to take on difficult terrains such as gravel, grass, or steps. This configuration is also a great option if you need to maneuver your chair through tight spaces because you can easily turn sharp turns using the front drive. When choosing a wheelchair your therapist or Assistant Technology Professional (ATP) will consider what base and components meet your requirements. In addition to the wheel configuration, the choice of an auxiliary power assist add-on should also be taken into consideration. There are several different options for power assist, such as front-wheel, middle-wheel and rear-wheel power add-ons. The new and relaunched WheelDrive power add-on from Sunrise Medical offers a unique dual rim design, with a variety of driving modes. The large 'assist wheel' provides you additional power with each push. This reduces fatigue, and allows you to increase your speed with each push. The smaller rim for driving offers continuous power to make climbing more comfortable. WheelDrive can be installed on any manual wheelchair, without any additional parts or modifications. It is also simple to switch between the two driving modes pressing the power button in a simple way. The hub motor with a brushless design is powered by small batteries that can be detached and fully charged in under two hours. Its compact size and easy to use make it the perfect solution for those who require some extra assistance to travel for long distances. The WheelDrive requires no maintenance unlike battery-powered power assist systems that can be difficult to maintain in good in good working order. We recommend that you contact one of our ATPs for more information and to see an example if you're considering the addition of a power wheelchair with front-wheel drive to your manual wheelchair. If you're considering the new Empulse 4Front 2 powered wheelchair it comes with iLevel. FrontDrive standard model comes with iLevel, which raises the safe seat elevation to 12 inches. This allows you to perform the mobility-related tasks of your daily life like toileting, reaching and grooming at a higher level. Rear Power Assist add-ons Power accessories for wheelchairs are great ways to reduce the amount of effort it takes to propel a manual chair. They also protect shoulder health and decrease the fear of injury that comes with long-term, repetitive manual propulsion. You can go further, climb steep slopes, and maneuver through difficult conditions by incorporating power assist into your chair. Wheelchair power add-ons are categorized into rear attachments (such as the SmartDrive), front attachments that raise the wheels of a manual wheelchair off the ground and replace them with a larger centered wheel (similar to the bicycle) like the BATEC Manual or Rio Dragonfly, and hybrid systems that incorporate both of these features. Front attachments can be controlled by hand-rim-activated systems, such as the Alber Smoov, Klaxon Twist or SmartDrive. Rear attachments are, however, are joystick conversion devices such as the Alber E-Motion and SmartDrive. Some of these wheelchair accessories utilize rechargeable batteries while others like the WheelDrive are connected to the wheelchair motor and powered by the kinetic energy generated by the wheel rotation. The ones powered by a battery are usually lighter and smaller than those powered by the kinetic energy generated by the wheel rotation. One of the most well-known wheelchair power add-ons is the Spinergy ZX-1, which attaches to the back axel of rigid and folding frame wheelchairs. It comes with three different support levels which can be changed at the press of an button. It is easy to switch from manual to powered mode and reverse the switch. The BATEC Manual Power Assist Wheel is another alternative. It has three levels of support and is also controlled with the joystick. This makes it ideal for people who require different degrees of assistance in different environments. These kinds of power add-ons can also be used to assist in reducing the strain on your elbows and shoulders which allows you to go farther with less effort. This can be particularly helpful in the event that you're concerned about the effects of self-propulsion over long distances on the health of your shoulder. Active Wheelchairs for Users Active user wheelchairs are made for those who wish to be independent and mobile and live a full life. These wheelchairs are lighter and easier to maneuver than self-propelled wheelchairs. This means that the upper body will not be as worn out. They can also travel for longer distances through challenging terrain without the need for assistance. A wheelchair designed for an active lifestyle typically has a smaller frame size, which helps to improve maneuverability. The rear wheels of a wheelchair designed for an active lifestyle are usually larger than the standard ones to enable the user to reach them easily and move forward. The backrest is usually lower to allow the user to move their arms and shoulder freely when self-propelling. Powered add-ons are another fantastic method to make your active user wheelchair more efficient, as they can offer additional power when required. This can be useful for climbing hills, travelling long distances, or when the user is tired. A powered add-on can be controlled by the user through voice commands or by moving their eyes, which could help them to be more independent and lessen the need for a person to push them. E-bike attachments for wheelchairs are a novel and exciting way to improve mobility and efficiency. These attach to the front wheel of a wheelchair, transforming it into a hand-bike with three wheels, which allows users to travel faster and farther than they could by themselves. This is an excellent option for those who want to commute to work, do around or just enjoy a relaxing ride. A power bike accessory can be adjusted to meet the user's needs and preferences, with different rear wheel angles available, as well as adjustable seating tension and footrest position. This offers the ultimate in flexibility and individualization. Foldable Power Assist Device Power add-ons are connected to the rear wheels of manual wheelchairs to replace their current rear wheels. They are simple to operate and allow the user more distances to be covered with less effort. They are usually lightweight and offer advanced control systems to adjust programming, monitor battery level and fault detection remotely. These are accessories from the aftermarket that can be mounted on various manual wheelchairs including folding models. Examples include the SmartDrive MX2+ or Alber Smoov. The device is activated by pressing a button or switch, and controlled by a wireless wristband. Some models also come with a built-in push tracker to keep record of how far the power add-on has been used. They permit individuals to travel longer distances without fatigue and help them climb the slopes and other obstacles more easily. They allow users to maintain independence by completing daily activities, work and spending time with family and friends. In some cases using an assist device can prevent sores from pressure by reducing amount of force being put on the body by the user. In addition, they have been shown to decrease the amount of time it takes for a person to perform tasks that require mobility and help them overcome obstacles like steps, inclines, and curb cuts. Many power-assists that fold can be carried around, meaning that users can bring their wheelchair on family trips without needing a van. They can be separated from the chair to travel to work or other activities and then reattached on return. This can help people maintain their paid employment, volunteering activities and other commitments to remain an integral part of their community and contribute to the society. When not in use, non-folding power assist devices are usually larger and heavier. lightweight self propelled wheelchairs can be folded and have their accessories removed to free even more space. They can be tucked away in the trunk of a family car, which allows individuals to travel with their families to work and other locations, as well as visit relatives and friends.