Chronus Robotics’ Kim-e is a self-balancing personal mobility robot, and the company is now letting interested parties book test rides. Dubbed an ‘invisible wheelchair’, Kim-e can be used in a seated position or standing, thanks to a scissor-lift that raises the seat up at an angle.
No remote control is necessary because Kim-e is controlled via upper body movements, and it can hit a top speed of 12 mph. A 4-hour charge is good for up to 19-miles of use, even over over obstacles up to 2.8 inches tall on off-road tires. Bumpy terrain won’t be an issue either, as the integrated air shock absorber helps keeps the ride as smooth as possible. Pricing and availability have not yet been announced. Then there’s the self-balancing gyro monorail from the early 1900s.
- Eye-catching black design, compact at 28 lbs, 220 lbs max load. Age: 16-50. Height: 3.11-6.6".
- High-performance battery: Dual 400W motors, 10 mph max speed, 13.7 miles per charge, 15° slope.
- Illuminating LED lights for visibility.
Sitting at a desk, on a couch, or in a car, a person with a disability enjoys being seen as just a person. It seems that the disability often becomes visible only when a wheelchair enters the picture. Our challenge was to keep the person visible while leaving not only the wheelchair but also the disability unnoticed,” said Chronus Robotics.
