7 replies to this topic

[Apparelyzed]

This appears to of been around for a while now, but it's the first time I've seen it.

What caught my eye, is the wheel sensors looked the same as the iGlide, as it turns out, the company owners developed the iGlide for J&J (see press cutting).

This is also available in the UK through Cyclone Mobility for £5995.00 for the basic model (price Jan 2008).

Next Mobility Introduces Tailwind Power Assist Wheelchair

For those unfamiliar with wheelchair power assist technology- These are power systems that are added to a manual wheelchair or come as a matched component of a manual wheelchair. They are used to improve mobility for people who have marginal pushing ability, to avoid shoulder injury or rest injured shoulders, and for those wheelchair users who require powered mobility in a compact transportable form.

Power assist units and wheelchairs act to enhance the pushing ability of the user by responding to touch or light push on the handrims which in turn initiates the power assist. For some wheelchair users this has turned out to be the best of both worlds. A lighter more attractive package than a power wheelchair but with the added oomph needed to make the daily hump and long haul.

Next Mobility’s Tailwind is a dedicated power assist system. That means the power unit and the manual wheelchair have been engineered for each other. In fact, Tailwind is the rebirth of ill fated iBot’s distant cousin, the Independence Technology iGlide.

The Tailwind utilizes pretty much the same power-plant as it’s predecessor which historically was an extremely reliable one. However, the changes end there. Next Mobility obviously heard the moans of iGliders past who had to settle for a manual wheelchair with very little customization potential just to get the power assist technology.

Next Mobility chose to go with their manual RTm ultralight wheelchair which offers a large number of customizing opportunities including color, front end configuration, camber options, wheel options, seating and back dimension choices, and much more.

On the power side of the wheelchair, Next Mobility has added new software upgrades that they claim have made big improvements in the feel and response of the chair. The power technology, or Tailwind Power Package (TPP) includes – two quick release wheels with “touch sensitive” handrims, motors, controller and removable battery pack.

All components are seamlessly engineered to the frame and cleverly conceal the power that lurks below. At a rate of 200 times per second, the intelligent electronic controllers measure input and resulting speed and distance traveled. This patented “closed loop” system is designed to maintain motion regardless of terrain, keeping the chair tracking straight even on varied opposing surfaces (i.e. left wheel on grass, right wheel on sidewalk).

The manufacturer states that the average charging time is around 3.5 hours. The charge is said to be good for 9 miles of wheeling but count on user weight, type of terrain, and battery condition whittling away some of those precious miles.

You can put the eye on the Tailwind at: http://www.nextmobilitynow.com/

Press Article



Regards

Simon

[BillS]

That looks pretty cool. I may want to get one once I'm older and greyer...I'm already feeling old and grey.

The only problem I have with it is it weighs 50+ pounds. I can't see me lifting that in and out of my car easily if I'm weak enough that I need a power assist chair. Maybe it's designed for those with wheelchair lift vans or those who don't drive.

[KarenFerguson]

Hubby had one of the "first generation" iglides. He hated it. It was really heavy and difficult for him to control when the motors kicked in. Also you have to worry about the battery crapping out and charging it all the time. Hopefully they've improved all this ... but it looks (from the pics) that they haven't.

[JT80]

sounds like a good product that could be helpful.
why do they use a bloke who is built like a brick sh1thouse in the vid? he clearly doesn't require any extra power so difficult to see what the real benefit to someone with reduced arm power might be.

[megatrig]

looks great

I have a set of emotions that are the worst investment I have ever made!!!!

[Izziwhizzi]

megatrig, on Jan 29 2009, 10:31 AM, said:

looks great

I have a set of emotions that are the worst investment I have ever made!!!!

Megatrig

How come the emotions are the worst investment you made?

I tried a set out yesterday, and for a quick trial I was shocked at how much they gave me.

But that was just a 10 minutes trial. I would really appreciate to know what are the cons, and pros if you wouldn't mind.

I'm local to you and was at Leamington rehab place trying them out. 4K for the wheels and 1.5-2k for the chair isn't cheap.

Would love to hear what others have experienced with emotions/power wheels recently.

Thanks a lot
I xx

[megatrig]

Izziwhizzi, on Jan 31 2009, 04:21 PM, said:

megatrig, on Jan 29 2009, 10:31 AM, said:

looks great

I have a set of emotions that are the worst investment I have ever made!!!!

Megatrig

How come the emotions are the worst investment you made?

I tried a set out yesterday, and for a quick trial I was shocked at how much they gave me.

But that was just a 10 minutes trial. I would really appreciate to know what are the cons, and pros if you wouldn't mind.

I'm local to you and was at Leamington rehab place trying them out. 4K for the wheels and 1.5-2k for the chair isn't cheap.

Would love to hear what others have experienced with emotions/power wheels recently.

Thanks a lot
I xx

Oh my god!!

Can't believe Leamington rehab are letting you have them!!

Ok I get 3 miles MAX out of a charge battery wise! Thats on a sensible "road" as it were. Gerald Simmonds "supplier" recon on 4.3 kilometers being a "sensible" distance to expect!!!

The amount of money I have spent on new battery's as they have broken or worn out is ridiculous!

Then driving back and forth to Aylesbury! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Spitting feathers!!

They should be a life changing experiance!!

They have made me very miserable!

I am about to take action as I'm gutted!!

£6K plus wasted!!

[mikeritter]

UPDATE:

As a long-term iGlide user, I was excited to see the Tailwind, but it is no longer being manufactured. A company head told me they had difficulty getting parts.

J&J have held on closely to their iGlide intellectual rights. With product service and support closing this month (March, 2011) and supplies almost depleted, the iGlide in its present incarnation is essentially dead.

An inside source confirms there are parties interested in acquiring the technology and developing the chair, but nothing has been settled. J&J wants to recoup some of the money they invested in the technology.

The iGlide and the iBot --its big brother-- promised great strides in putting amazing technology in the arena of people with disabilities, but distribution costs proved an impediment. At around $8,000 and $22,000 respectively, the wheelchairs were not affordable for end users and hard to justify to government and some private insurance providers. The financial crisis has not helped as sources tighten their budgets. More traditional power wheelchairs and scooters are less expensive and more familiar. Although the technology is not as advanced, it has been tried and tested. Without investment, the technology in chairs like the iGlide will continue to sit on shelves.

Alber's Emotion Wheelchair Wheels manual assist system is an alternative that is built into the wheels as add-ons to a standard wheelchair. It has met with mixed reviews from users who benefit from the assistance but complain that the system is not durable. Among the complaints are battery life, breaking spokes, and vulnerability to inclement weather.

I credit the iGlide for giving me unbelievable independence. As a C5/6 Tetraplegic I used a manual chair until my shoulders ached constantly. A straight power chair would have limited my ability to get around with friends and accomplish day-to-day tasks. I am apprehensively working on getting in the Emotion system with a Quickie 2 or TiLite 2 wheelchair this spring, but hanging onto my iGlide just in case the Emotion does not work out.

For iGlide users wanting to extend the life of their product, another user has recommended finding a battery shop to rebuild the batteries you have. Many parts like tires, rims, casters, slings and push handles are openly available through the internet and wheelchair repair shops. iGlide or J&J will likely notify customers if the technology is acquired by another company.

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