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Biotech / Medical : Dean Kamen and Ginger ??? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dee Jay who wrote (113)	1/15/2001 12:02:05 AM
From: Dee Jay	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 377

the USA Today story on the IBOT stairclimbing wheelchair contains highly misleading wording as to pricing vs existing motorized wheelchairs on today's market. The story claims: "The motorized device, called the Independence 3000 IBOT Transporter, could be available as early as 2001. It will sell for at least $20,000 to $25,000, slightly more than most high-end customized motorized wheelchairs." That is false because a highly customized high end wheelchair, where the operator is totally paralyzed and can only use his/her head to steer and control via sensors built into the headrest, cost but $16,000 2 years ago. That doesn't include raising and lowering the seat, presently available. The control system with those head-movement sensors, is very expensive in and of itself.. Someone capable of using a standard joystick-type control, that determines speed and direction both, of the type shown in the photo of the IBOT, can be had for under $5,000 in standard configurations and below $9,000 in highly customized to $16,000 in even greater customization as to control systems and seating needs. One must have knowledge of the serious impairments and the large variety of seating and support systems for the user to understand that $16,000 high end chairs are both rare and far more complex in the seating than the IBOT shown. Take the IBOT and put on the special control systems (head motion or sip-and-puff, for example) as well as the specialized seating dimensions and body support systems and the cost can easily increase $10,000 over the base type shown. That's a far cry from the claimed "slightly more than..." And the story said "at least" for the $20-25K pricing. Dee Jay