Leveraged Freedom Chair | Off Road Wheelchair

Last week I was able to watch another great recent TED talk about accessibility. This one was by Amos Winter of MIT, who designed a wheelchair for people in developing nations. Working with consulting company Continuum and his own Global Research Innovation and Technology (GRIT), they created the Leveraged Freedom Chair (LFC). A wheelchair that can be made from readily available parts and can handle rough terrain. Using gears and levers, LFC is an off road wheelchair that’s human powered. GRIT, Continuum, and the Singapore University of Technology and Design are also working on a sport version to be sold in the U.S. and other developed countries.

Adding Leverage
LFC starts out as a standard wheelchair but with a only a single wheel in the front. Then a gear is attached to the main axle and connected to another gear with a bicycle chain. These are then activated by attached levers. Users then push on the levers to get moving. Since the levers are able to increase power from the arms, the wheelchair is able to power through terrain easier than a standard wheelchair.

Human Powered
When in use, the user is the engine and can easily change power by repositioning their hand. The user can essentially change gears and increase leverage and power by moving their hands towards the end of the lever.

Recreational
Of course what can be essential in some places, can be recreational in others. Which is why a sport version is being designed and hopefully available in 2013. This LFC is essentially the same but with a sleeker look and modern materials. A sport LFC could be used on trails and other off road terrain that would be difficult to get through on a standard wheelchair.

Conclusion
Watch the TED presentation below to see the LFC in action and learn how it came to be. For more on the LFC and to get on the mailing list or give feed back, visit GoGrit.org.