A WHEELCHAIR DESIGNED TO PROMOTE WELLBEING

 

tokyo-based studio quantum has designed a sleek, foldable wheelchair that aims to promote user wellbeing while also affording support from others. developed in collaboration with medical equipment manufacturer molten, ‘wheeliy’ features yellow accents to make lifting the chair more intuitive; people unfamiliar with wheelchairs already know where to put their hands to either lift or fold the product.

 

first launched in 2019, the award-winning wheeliy for active wheelchair users has recently been added to the permanent collection at X-D-E-P-O-T, die neue sammlung — the design museum at the pinakothek der moderne in munich, germany. the exhibition can be viewed virtually here. 

the wheeliy foldable wheelchair features yellow accents for intuitive handling
images by ROBINHOOD photograph / goichi kondo

 

 

WHEELIY FEATURES

 

wheeliy has two modes: assist and cruise. the electrical assist means users can receive an extra push only when they need it, for example on rough paths or on steep inclines. this electric power drive is integrated to help active wheelchair users travel farther, therefore providing better mobility and more freedom.

 

in addition to the electrical assist, wheeliy is available with a number of handy features to make traveling trouble-free. the ‘power cushion’ on the seat is designed with an internal air cell that automatically adjusts air pressure to reduce pain in the hips and the risk of bedsores after prolonged sitting. the cushion can also be detached for use in cars and other vehicles.

 

there’s a ‘bag-in-bag’ storage compartment at the back of the wheelchair. both the outer and inner bags are structured to make it easier to access belongings or put things away. and to keep users connected on the go, a smartphone stand can be attached to the elegant S-shaped frame. 

the wheeliy foldable wheelchair features yellow accents for intuitive handling
wheeliy also comes in white

 

 

‘in addition to functionality and aesthetics, we have thought deeply about the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of active wheelchair users in developing the product,’ says quantum.

 

‘wheelchair users, who lead independent lives in society, actively use their own power to maintain their residual functions and feel a sense of satisfaction from doing so. to support these values, wheeliy is designed to be a self-propelled wheelchair, with assist functions available only when needed.’

the wheeliy foldable wheelchair features yellow accents for intuitive handling
the design features storage at the back

the wheeliy foldable wheelchair features yellow accents for intuitive handling
a smartphone stand lets users stay connected on the go

the wheeliy foldable wheelchair features yellow accents for intuitive handling
the power cushion can be easily detached for use in cars and other vehicles

the wheeliy foldable wheelchair features yellow accents for intuitive handling
wheeliy can be folded into a more compact size for transportation

the wheeliy foldable wheelchair features yellow accents for intuitive handling
yellow accents make lifting the wheelchair more intuitive

 

 

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project info:

 

name: wheeliy power drive

design: quantum

manufacturer: molten