We asked our vendors to share what’s new and WOW, did they come through! Read on for updates on apps, adaptive vehicles, wheelchairs and more.

1. Braunability Toyota Sienna Conversion

Braunability goes green with its launch of the first-ever retail hybrid wheelchair-accessible vehicle — the BraunAbility Toyota Sienna conversion. “Finally, the mobility disability community has a choice in taking a more eco-conscious route when selecting their ride,” says the company’s press release. Also, Braunability released its 2021 Drive for Inclusion Report Card. It finds that people with mobility impairments have the fewest accommodations needed to be fully included in society of all marginalized groups. Read it here.

2. Enemeez’ New Interview Series

Enemeez recently launched an informative, monthly bowel care interview series in its private group,  Thrive Community on Facebook. In the first episode, Scott Chesney interviews Beth Householder with Quest Healthcare, a Division of Quest Products, on the different types of pressure injuries, symptoms, prevention and treatment. Here’s the first clip:

3. Includesign’s LapSnap

Includesign‘s LapSnap hopes to make carrying items like handbags, clothing and whatever else while using a wheelchair, well, a snap! “Our vision is to create an environment where disabled individuals are not an afterthought in the design process, but rather the first to be consulted since everyone wins in a more accessible world,” says Includesign. “We know that for many wheelchair users, it can be challenging to simultaneously carry their belongings and maneuver their wheelchair. The LapSnap addresses this challenge with an innovative design that allows users to carry items hands-free. Developed with grocery shopping in mind, the LapSnap is useful for multiple tasks, including laundry, gardening, cleaning, and going to school or work. We hope that this product makes the everyday task of carrying items less of a hassle than it should be for many wheelchair users.” Includesign is running a Kickstarter campaign for the LapSnap that you can view here.

4. Invacare’s Aviva Storm RX

“This is bigger than shark week for us,” said an Invacare spokesperson about its next-generation, rear-wheel-drive power wheelchair, Aviva Storm RX. Its patent-pending SureGrip suspension system promises to provide a smooth and silent driving experience. It features rear anti-tippers with shock absorbers to smooth out both vibrations and noise, a pushed-down drive motor for better traction and front caster bearings with something called an elastomeric dampener that also reduces vibrations and impacts. Additionally, it features a short wheelbase and narrow width. Taken all together, the Aviva Storm offers a smooth, quiet ride.

5. MyPermobil App Now Uses Alexa or Google Assistant

Permobil customers can now access features of the MyPermobil app hands-free with the new Voice Assistant feature via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The app also works with voice recognition programs that recognize speech impediments. “For people with disabilities like me who have limited hand function, it means we have more freedom and less work,” says Michael Huhn, who has cerebral palsy. He took part in Project Euphonia, a Google initiative helping people with atypical speech be better understood by analyzing speech recordings to train speech recognition models. “I recorded hundreds of words and phrases so that Google Assistant can understand people with a speech impediment like me.”

6. Quantum Rehab’s 4Front 2

Customers, ATPs and clinicians asked Quantum Rehab for enhancements to the 4Front 2, and the company listened. Among its new features is a Smart Traction Control  integrated into the Q-Logic control system. Smart Traction Control’s upgrades include the ability to drive up to  6.25 miles per hour and improved tracking. Also, look for 4-pole motors and redesigned caster arms that offer greater durability, reduced weight and enhanced aesthetics. Quantum’s backup camera is also an available option. “The 4Front 2 is unlike any chair I have ever used,” said Christian Budney, a Quantum Brand Ambassador. “The new suspension allows me to conquer terrain that I never thought possible as a wheelchair user.”

7. Sunrise Medical’s Nitrum and Partnership with Luci

Sunrise Medical has two new product announcements. First, it has updated its Nitrum ultralightweight wheelchair with two new options — the Nitrum Hybrid, a box-style frame, and the Active Rigid Option, which reduces weight and increases stiffness with a fixed backrest and camber tube. “Our product development team includes very experienced designers and engineers who are long-term wheelchair users themselves,” said Sunrise Medical’s CEO, Thomas Babacan. “We make sure that we consider all the finest details in our designs and innovations, and we are confident you will feel the differences and benefits.” Second, Sunrise and Luci are partnering to offer Luci’s smart wheelchair tech on Quickie’s power wheelchairs. New Mobility did stand-alone product announcements for both of these products. Read our Nitrum announcement here, and our Luci announcement here.

8. VitaGlide 2.0

VitaGlide reports its 2.0 version has some significant upgrades:

• The older version only had one movement that simulated cross-country skiing. The new version offers two movements through the use of resistance technology — cross-country skiing (push-pull varying motion) and rowing (push together-pull together). This allows the user to increase heart rate and develop upper body core strength with cardio conditioning. 
• Each handle is set independently so the user can achieve different levels of resistance depending on their needs. For example, stroke survivors with paralysis on one side can set a higher and lower resistance for each side of their body to work the side that needs more help a little harder. 
• Resistance in the new VitaGlide machine is provided by motors. The old version utilized cable and brake pads. 
• The new version of VitaGlide has longer arm that provide more space for power chairs. The wide “V” opening shape is 33 inches wide. Also, the new version offers 15 inches of articulation to accommodate individual height and power chairs.
• An opportunity for the user to set goals for their workout.
• Solid steel construction throughout.  The older version had a steel base but was mainly constructed from aluminum and square tube. 

Read Michael Franz’s full review of the redesigned Vitaglide here.

9. New Voiceitt App for People with Speech Impediments

Voiceitt’s new Voiceitt app assists people with speech impediments to use Amazon’s Alexa-enabled devices that control smart-home features. It’s currently free and can be found in the Apple store. In addition to recognizing atypical speech, Voiceitt says the app recognizes speech patterns in any language, including utterances, speech cadences, breathing pauses and non-verbal sounds. App users can build a personalized dictionary and train the app to recognize their unique pronunciation. The app then can identify a user’s trained phrases in real-time and translates output into typical speech.