The New SmartDrive Controller is Also a Fitness Tracker


Permobil and artificial-intelligence wearable company Mobvoi have partnered to release the SmartDrive Push Tracker E3, a power assist device controller and fitness tracker in one. 

The SmartDrive Push Tracker E3 is a combination of Mobvoi’s TicWatch E3 smartwatch and the Permobil SmartDrive MX2+ power assist controller. The watch connects to the SmartDrive MX2+ via Bluetooth and allows you to monitor battery life, turn the SmartDrive on and off, and control your speed by tapping on the watch’s face. The SmartDrive Push Tracker E3 also tracks pushing stats, such as the number of pushes in a day, distance traveled and time spent coasting. You can set goals based on all three metrics to improve your health and meet physical activity goals.  

In addition to being able to control the SmartDrive, the SmartDrive Push Tracker E3 is a full-fledged fitness tracker that tracks your sleeping habits and monitors heart rate and blood oxygen levels. The data gathered can be shared with family members and healthcare providers. 

“We are excited to partner with Permobil, as they’re introducing the most advanced and convenient rehabilitation tech that increases the mobility and independence of wheelchair users,” says Carol Wu, vice president of Mobvoi. “We’re proud to offer the TicWatch E3 in a way that continues our commitment to helping people live active and healthier lives.” 

The SmartDrive Push Tracker E3 comes as a free option with the purchase of a SmartDrive MX2+. For those who already own a Smart Drive MX2+, the Mobvoi TicWatch E3 can be purchased separately and paired with the existing unit. For more information, visit the Permobil and Mobvoi websites. 


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stan
stan
1 year ago

This product is very dangerous. There are no safeguards whenever it should bump into an object (door, wall, etc) just keeps moving. The controls are velcro’d and easily repositioned where they can be unintentionally activated.

Susan Hemann
1 year ago

this is awesome! was just talking to someone about Fitbit not being for wheelchair people. I was saying too bad there wasn’t a tracker for wheelchair users!

Cheryl S
Cheryl S
1 year ago

Wish I could upgrade my original SmartDrive with these enhancements. Can’t afford to buy a whole new one!

eddy
eddy
1 year ago
Reply to  Cheryl S

i have been told you can upgrade your old unit.

Renee
Renee
1 year ago

I have the MX2+ with the TicWatch controller.
First off, yes the SD can be dangerous. I tell people that if you don’t have good reflexes and situational awareness then you could get into trouble with a SD. It is very useful though, particularly for me at the grocery store to help push the cart, ’cause I do all the shopping for my household.

The TicWatch… well first off, it’s bottom-of-the-line smartwatch that can just barely
handle the MX2+ software, which has a problem with crashing all too frequently and takes forever to load if you want to use any other watch face but the SD one. The battery life when the SD app is running is absolutely laughable as well. On a full charge you can squeeze maybe a few hours at most out of it, and less if you’re starting & stopping a lot b/c it makes the watch vibrate every time you tap. Not a bad safety feature, but it can be a power hog. And don’t even think about trying to run anything else while the SD app is running. It will tend to lock the whole watch up, crash the app, and make the back of the watch uncomfortably hot b/c the poor over-taxed processor is working overtime.

And just like with the old wrist controller, the PushTracker software is borderline useless. You cannot trust any numbers it gives you. Push counts are always off and distance tracking is a joke. It seems to use the turns of the push wheel to calculate distance, but it’s never accurate. I’ve experimented with it a few times, going on what I know is a 1 mile route, and it logged 1700′, 500′, and 300′, none of which match the 5280 feet I went. It would’ve been much smarter to just use GPS. It can’t monitor your sleep habits b/c the battery, even without using the SD app, will not last more than ~15 hours, I’ve never gotten it to accurately measure my heart rate and this model watch cannot read SpO2 (blood oxygen). Remember, it’s Mobvoi’s bottom-line model.

However, despite all my shade here (I’m just being honest about my experience with it) I still love my SD and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve had one since the old v1.0 with the big battery that (never quite) fit under the seat sling & had only buttons for control. It’s been a game-changer & an elbow/shoulder-saver for me, even with all its quirks.

Scott M Vetter
Scott M Vetter
1 year ago
Reply to  Renee

I totally agree with assessment! Laughable.

Matt
Matt
1 year ago

Or download the app and use your Apple Watch to control the MX2+, if you happen to use one. I agree the TicWatch is crude and very heavy/bulky.