New Zealand company integrates iPhone into wheelchair

From Business Scoop in New Zealand:

Drawing on its tradition of engineering excellence Dynamic Controls has integrated an iPhone with its power wheelchair electronics – thus enabling power wheelchair users to enjoy all the benefits of an iPhone or iPod touch.

The solution connects a user’s iPhone or iPod touch to the wheelchair system via Bluetooth® to display chair information in real time as well as speed in kph or mph and compass heading. A cradle is available to mount the iPhone or iPod touch onto the wheelchair.

CEO of Dynamic Controls, Charlotte Walshe says, “We recognised the iPhone has revolutionised the way people communicate and saw the opportunity to develop this solution for wheelchair users, taking full advantage of Apple's ‘Works with iPod / Made for iPhone’ developer program.”

Lee Kwok, a wheel chair user in Christchurch says it will be fantastic to be able to buy an off the shelf product that has so many features for powered wheelchair users. “Having access to mainstream technology via a wheelchair is a huge advantage," says Lee Kwok.

Other benefits include the incorporation of an on-chair charger for the iPhone and a ‘chair doctor’ wheelchair diagnostics feature that interprets any problems with the wheelchair.

Connectivity features include displaying the status of wheelchair, through to computer mouse control, IR and WiFi appliance control, on-chair connected devices as well as direct access to Dynamic Controls’ website with content of interest to wheelchair users.

Dynamic Controls unveiled its latest technology at REHACARE in Germany, the world's top trade fair for those with special needs and requiring care.

“We had overwhelming support from those who viewed it at REHACARE and we are confident that when it is launched in April 2010 we will exceed our initial expectations.

The new technology operates with an iPhone 3G, 3GS, iPod touch V2.0 and 3.0. It can easily be fitted to any new or existing Dynamic Controls DX2, DX or Shark wheelchair control systems without reprogramming the wheelchair.