Products

Testing the Strutt ev¹: A Glimpse into the Future of Power Wheelchairs

I was a bit skeptical of the Strutt ev¹ when I first heard about it in a press email announcing “a Tesla-level innovation in personal mobility.” I’m all for innovation, but smart wheelchairs have been talked about for decades, and recent advancements in power wheelchairs usually feature similarly soaring language with few true advancements in user experience.  

My skepticism was two-fold. One: Would a company with no prior experience in the personal mobility space be able to build a wheelchair that functions well for full-time wheelchair users? Two: Would “advanced sensor systems” and semi-autonomous drive technology be useful for someone looking to navigate their world independently, or would they make you feel like a passenger in a robotaxi — along for the ride but with little say in how you get from A to B? 

I took a trip to “Strutt Day” in San Francisco to find out.  

A Unique Wheelchair Bag

For quads, reaching a backpack or under-chair bag every time you need something can be frustrating and time-consuming. Cheryl Angelelli tries the Wheelbag, a round bag that attaches to your wheels and provides easy access, even with limited grip function, to your keys, phone and other items.

Let the Good Times Roll

The People and Devices Making Pinball Accessible

For people of a certain age, there’s nothing quite as nostalgic as old-school arcade games. And while many consider pinball the apex of classic gaming, it has never been the most accessible option … until now. Power wheelchair user John Mohler recently took a trip to the 41st Annual Pinball Expo outside of Chicago to check out a new crop of adaptive controllers making the game more inclusive than ever.

Pro Tips

Building LEGO with Quad Hands

New Mobility editor-in-chief Ian Ruder first got a LEGO set years ago and didn’t even consider building it because he thought there was no way his quad hands would be able to manipulate the tiny pieces. But he eventually gave a small set a try and found that by using the right tools — including a simple typing stick with a nail taped to the end — and a lot of practice, he could build even the biggest LEGO sets independently. See how he does it.