Mobility Scooter Technology to Look Out For
Technology is the great disruptor. Every industry has been affected by technology in some form or fashion. This change is almost always an improvement. Technology has done wonders for mobility scooters in particular by making them better and more accessible. From the off-road mobility scooter to the foldable mobility scooter and portable mobility scooters, there’s always something new in the industry. Here are some advancements in mobility scooter technology to look out for.
1. Tracking Features
There are some big differences between driving a car and driving a mobility scooter. One key difference is that mobility scooters can’t be used in the same places as cars. Users may need to follow different routes to reach their destination, which can be tricky if they are used to one particular route. It’s easier to get lost on a mobility scooter because you have less idea of where you are going at times.
The problem of getting lost is being solved by researchers at the University of Lincoln and De Montfort University. They have put together great tracking features for mobility scooters so users don’t get lost on their way. The technology is great because it means concerned family members will have no problem keeping track of vulnerable relatives.
2. Self-Balancing Features
Stores with mobility scooters for sale are starting to get an influx of new scooters with built-in self-balancing technology. These new scooters are able to get over just about any kind of terrain and make it easier to move from one terrain to another. They feature a lightweight balance that gives users access to just about any kind of vehicle.
A self-balancing scooter is both a good thing and a bad thing depending on the user. It uses body weight to balance and control direction. This is great for people who have a strong core or have the upper body strength needed. It may be too much for someone with greater limitations though.
3. Extra Speed Through Firefly
Firefly technology is an attachment that can be placed on to mobility scooters for some extra speed. Many scooters users will agree it takes too long to make some journeys because mobility scooters can be limited in terms of speed. Those speed limitations are good for safety, but we could all do with a little boost when we need one, such as to get to an appointment on time.
Firefly attachments for mobility scooters can give that extra burst of speed. The attachment pushes a scooter to speeds of up to 12.5MPH. It doesn’t sound like much, sure, but you’d be surprised at what kind of difference it can make, especially given that the average scooter has a top speed of 8MPH.
4. Self-Driving Scooters
It seems like everything is becoming self-driving these days and mobility scooters are no exception. They are only getting more independent, and it doesn’t get more independent than being self-driving. Self-driving mobility scooters are in development that will make travel much easier for people who need mobility scooters.
It’s amazing how far self-driving scooters have already come. Developers have already solved a number of problems related to the technology, such as how to respond when someone is in the way of the scooter. Self-driving scooters are equipped with laser sensors that detect obstacles up to 2 and a half meters away (and ten centimeters to the side). Scooters can “see” obstacles and respond to them well ahead of time.
Summary
It’s interesting to see what the future holds for mobility scooters. Scooters will only get safer and more accessible as the technology behind them continues to evolve. These are just some advancements to watch out for, and are far from being the only things on the horizon.
