A Tokyo-based company has found a way to increase wheelchair mobility.
The company, LIFEHUB, developed Avest, an electric wheelchair that can go up and down stairs and escalators.
The main aim of the “next-generation” mobility device is to help users overcome various obstacles, such as steps and stairs, without needing assistance when traveling, flying, or in case of emergency.
To ensure easier and safer movement, the wheelchair comes with a gravity control system and obstacle recognition function.
The device runs on four wheels on flat ground but is also equipped with caterpillar tracks for uneven ground, such as stairs.
The device’s specifications include its ability to ascend and descend slopes up to 40 degrees, its lightweight nature, and its ability to travel about 40 kilometers on a single charge.
A stair-climbing wheelchair isn’t a new idea. However, existing devices ascend with their users facing backward.
The Avest wheelchair costs 1.5 million yen (around $10,300). The company notes that the prices of competitors range from almost 2.5 million yen (around $17,000) to 5 million yen (around $34,000).
The company will collaborate with rental companies to rent wheelchairs as nursing equipment, allowing those who have nursing care insurance to rent the device with a 10% to 30% cost burden.
LIFEHUB plans to introduce its device to the global market by showcasing its prototype in multiple exhibitions this year. Right now, the company is in the final stages of development, with the aim of starting to sell Avest in 2026.
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