Is The Observer Maximus The Next Big Thing In Stair Climbing Wheelchairs?

By on November 26, 2012 in China Manufacturing, Editorial

Observer Climbing Stairs

The Observer Maximus may be what wheelchair users are looking for in a stair climbing wheelchair. The manufacturer, Observer Mobility from China claims the unique use of gyroscopes allows the user to remain in an upright seated position no matter what the terrain.

The video demonstrates this ease of climbing and descending stairs. Of note the wheelchair user faces uphill when climbing as did the IBOT.

Of course the Observer Maximus follows some excellent products in this area, including the IBOT which was unfortunately discontinued largely due to it’s high cost (lack of reimbursement).

We have also written about Topchair which continues to attract wheelchair users interest from around the world judging by the comments left on the post.

Observer Mobility is positioning their chair as a crossover chair and all terrain chair that has a very eco-friendly battery, silicone power battery reducing pollution and noise.

It can climb stairs to a maximum of 25 degrees, and descend slopes to a maximum of 45 degrees. This makes the chair suitable for curbs, various obstacles, beach and sand roads.

It has synchro seat adjusting gravity equipment, so the seat stays in the horizontal level all the times, making the user feel safe and comfortable when climbing stairs or slopes.

The manufacturer claims that the chair is patented.

The success of products like this depends to a large degree on the cost because most insurance companies and governments are not prepared to reimburse these products to a very high level. Neither are privately funded organisations who in most cases cannot afford higher levels of funding.

With this product being made in China that may help with the cost however Chinese wheelchair and homecare product costs have been steadily rising so that may not be the case. Time will tell.

Observer Mobility is seeking distributors in Europe.

About Frank Barlin

Frank is the founder and managing partner at Sibaya. He provides recognized leadership in homecare consulting and has advised firms ranging in size from those listed on the NYSE and the LSE to early stage startups. Frank’s international experience is broad-based, having spent his professional life based in Europe, the United States and South Africa. Prior to founding Sibaya in 2002 he was European Vice President for a publicly traded healthcare company. In addition he has held various country general management positions and directorships. Recent home healthcare projects include European business development, acquisition strategy and advice, competitive benchmarking, Asian outsourcing and turnaround management. He works out of the Paris office.
View all posts by Frank Barlin →

2 Responses to “Is The Observer Maximus The Next Big Thing In Stair Climbing Wheelchairs?”

  1. fred December 20, 2012 at 02:03 #

    it looks not bad, how much? how can i get it?

    Reply

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  1. The New Topchair Stair Climbing Wheelchair Ready For Commercialization | the international medical market place - November 26, 2012

    [...] Update: May 2009 – IBOT – Stairclimbing wheelchair withdrawn from market. Update: November 2012 – Observer Maximus – The Next Big Thing In Climbing Wheelchairs? [...]

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