Topchair Stair Climber Wheelchair Ready To Climb

Ziggi | May 22, 2007 | Comments 2

We reported on the Topchair back in September of 2005 when it was just out of development. It is now ready to climb into commercialization.

The Topchair is a stair climbing and obstacle climbing powered wheelchair designed by French engineer Hervé le Masne. The wheelchair has four wheels for rolling over normal terrain and two rubber tracks for climbing stairs and other obstacles.

Topchair stair climbing powered wheelchair going down stairs
Some of the cool features that have been incorporated into the Topchair.
  • Infrared sensors detect the presence of stairs and deploy the tracks.
  • The seat is always maintained in a horizontal position.
  • TopChair can climb up 300 stairs and climb down more than 1000 stairs.
  • It can climb curbs and stairs up to 20 cm (8″).

Top speed in road mode (wheels) is around 5.7mph. Running on tracks slows things down to .43 mph. That’s fast enough for stairs anyway.

Remember, Topchair is in the commercialization stage so don’t run out and try to buy one yet. If it can muster enough investors and dealers you may get your chance. In the meantime- Watch those steps. Their killers!

For information, images, and video- http://perso.orange.fr/topchair/
 

Filed Under: General • New On The Scene • Power Wheelchairs

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  1. gholamreza says:
    August 18, 2007 at 8:05 pm

    my name is Gholamreza Ghanbari with more than 91 % physical disability . I’m student of Software Engineering and got familar with your prouducts by your web site . First of all I have to admit tha great job you have done to help people with disability .

    I want to use your wheelchairs for my living and education , please guide me on how we can purchase your products .

    please send me all detailed information regarding your products in file PDF format .

    If it’s possible , send me a video that illustrates the operation of your products on crossing difficult paths and
    Stepping through stairs .

  2. Dan says:
    September 22, 2007 at 2:36 pm

    I’m almost the same as previous comment. Paralyzed, Software Engineer. And want as much info as possible on your chair. Nice!

    Dan