It’s a Plane… It’s a Bird… It’s a Levitating Senior Citizen!

According to historical records, the wheelchair first made an appearance during the 6th century. Fast forward 15 centuries and behold the next step in wheelchair evolution: LEVITATION!

Researchers at Japan’s Kobe Gakuin University have developed a prototype for a fascinating new ‘wheelchair’ that doesn’t require wheels.

Instead it utilizes an air compressor that spouts jets of air out of several openings laced on the bottom of device, thereby creating a cushion of air that, in essence, makes the chair hover over the ground.

This in turn drastically reduces the polarizing effects of friction, thereby allowing the user to more easily navigate to his or her destination.

It’s being built primarily for elderly citizens seeking improved mobility, but it hosts the potential to one day revolutionize the entire handicapped industry.

The folks at Kobe Gakuin University still have leaps and bounds to cross, though, as the levitating chair currently only works on shiny flat surfaces, which means granddaddy won’t be able to exit the foyer.

On the bright side, however, the chair rotates smoothly with sharp turns, even when bogged down with a 330 pound payload. Plus it looks quite comfortable and even features a backrest and a foot holder.

Sadly, the chair is at the moment restricted to only horizontal movement. Perhaps in a few more years, researchers will manage to outfit the device with a vertical propulsion shaft. It would certainly make it easier for chair-bound senior citizens to ‘climb’ a set of stairs.

Hopefully, they’ll be more agile with the chair than they are with cars!

Sources (1 2 3 4)

By V Saxena on 26-02-2010