RODEM - Mountable Electric Wheelchair

 If you have ever assisted someone in moving from the bed to a wheelchair, you will appreciate this new invention. The  VEDA International Robot R&D Center　based in Fukuoka Japan announced a new concept vehicle called RODEM, which is basically a new type of electric wheelchair. Instead of sitting on it, you will be mounting on it, which will make it easier for certain types of patients to move from the bed to the wheelchair and vice versa. You won't need to turn around.   

 

( Photo of RODEM : By the way the woman in the photo next to the vehicle is NOT HRP-4C.)

 Fumi Seto, who is a robotics researcher at fuRo and writes a popular blog, had the chance to test drive the RODEM. (She was kind enough to send me some photos including the one above. Thank you!)

 You can check out Seto-san on RODEM in a YouTube video.      

 According to her trial run report, steering with the joystick is intuitive and the ride was pretty smooth. Right now you have to be 50 kg (110 pounds) or under to get on it but the weight restriction could be removed by using larger motors. She points out some design issues - such as the location of the armrest and wheels - that need to be overcome for the vehicle to be more comfortable and commercially viable.

 At the end she compares it with the RIBA, the robot that carries the patient from one place to another. Would you rather be carried away like a princess by RIBA or mount briskly on the RODEM and ride away like a prince? Either way, I'm sure we'll be seeing lots more robots coming out in this area.