Scewo

Presented by Bernhard Winter Nominated by ETH Zurich   Scewo is developing a stair-climbing wheelchair that enables mobility-impaired persons to reach locations that were previously inaccessible for them and thus ultimately to lead a more independent life. The design of wheelchairs has changed little in the past decades or even centuries. This simple construction is naturally far from ideal for many users. That is where Scewo comes in. Their key to success is, on the one hand, a novel design, and, on the other hand, a set of extendable rubber tracks that allow the wheelchair to manoeuvre up and down stairs. Thanks to a self-balancing technology, the wheelchair is also very agile on flat ground and has a small footprint. What further distinguishes the technology from competitors is the innovative and flexible steering. Users can navigate use a traditional joystick and even raise their eye level for easier conversation. Combining expertise in engineering, robotics, and programming, Scewo aspires to reduce costs while increasing functionality and achieving a sleek and modern design. Aiming to change the way people think about wheelchairs, their invention could become a game-changer for mobility-impaired people.

3355

Bernhard Winter, Scewo

Marjan Kraak, ETH Zürich

4