Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Technology and Mobility
We can traverse land faster than any other species using motorized vehicles. We can move through water faster than any other species using boats and submarines. We can fly faster and higher than any other species using airplanes. We can dig and move earth around like no other species on Earth using drilling machines, shovels, and trucks. The key here is that we make machines- fantastic machines. Many times we take the ideas that are within nature itself- sonar, airplanes, etc. Other times we create totally different approaches such as rockets and motors. There are even times where there is no better machine for the job, so we use natures best such as using leeches and maggots.
Yes its true, we still use leeches and maggots in medical science. Why do we use leeches and maggots? You might say what most people say... ewww! Well, for one, we use them because they are designed to do certain thing. Leeches suck blood and maggots eat decayed flesh. When reattaching severed limbs and fingers, the leeches are used to painlessly remove blood that swells the damaged area thereby preventing the swelling from doing additional damage or to prevent blood clotting of tiny blood vessels that may cause blood flow to be blocked (Leech Therapy). In Maggot Therapy (MDT) certain types of maggots are used to eat away decayed flesh (because they DON'T eat living flesh) to reduce the chances of gangrene. We even are trying to make microscopic machines that rival viruses and bacteria called nanites, nanobites, or nanomachines. Anyway, back to machines and mobility.
An interesting quality of mankind is its desire overcome obstacles. Modern thought is to not look at a physical or mental disability as a total loss but to instead look at it as a challenge or an obstacle to overcome. Many contributions to science have been made to overcome the disabilities of individuals. A Chinese scientist has outfitted a child with sonar goggles to great success- the child can hit a ball thrown his direction with a baseball bat. Artificial limbs, hearts, and optical technologies have been created to overcome problems... even enhance those without disabilities (such as night vision).
There are quite a few notable physically disabled people that have made great contributions to mankind- Dr. Steven Hawking being one that immediately pops to mind. His disability being caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis but does that stop him from being one of the world's leading theoretical physicists? No. For sure, one of the most notable things, other than Dr. Hawking's brilliance, that comes to light when you see the good Dr, is his enabling technology. His computer, his blink switch, his voice synthesizer, and his wheel chair are so essential to his mobility and communication. When seeing him with his technology, I don't even see his disability, rather I am enthralled by his intellect. I can almost believe that his will and intellect actually power all those devices.
Which brings me to the Cool Pick Of The Day- Enabling Technology such as the Wheel Chair but not just any wheel chair- super wheel chairs. I have seen 2 that absolutely are astounding: IBOT by Independence Technology which was invented by Dean Kamen (also inventor of the Segway) and the TankChair created by a small Arizona company called TankChair.com.
The iBOT® Mobility System uses a patented technology called iBALANCE® which is a combination of sensors, software components, and multiple computers that work in conjunction with gyroscopes to continually help maintain the chair's balance. The chair's on-board, triple redundant backup systems and computers, are custom-programmed to the chair's user’s center of gravity, to ensure that it responds properly, even with subtle changes in motion, and even constantly realigns and adjusts its wheel position and seat orientation to keep the user upright and stable all the time. The fascinating aspect about this wheel chair is that it not only climb curbs, stairs, and inclines with little problem, it can even stand up and balance on 2 of the 4 wheels to raise the user up- similar to standing up from a seated position.
The TankChair is not about subtly or gyroscopes or triple redundant computers... its about mobility and power- TANK POWER! While it is true there are many types of outdoor capable wheel chairs (the iBOT® also can go outdoors), the TankChair powers through dirt, sand, snow, and grass with ease. Its tank treads make light work of reasonable terrain and is fully controllable by a hand joystick, not unlike those found on other power wheel chairs. The inventor created this chair for his wife who was injured in an accident and this has given her the freedom she wants to participate in the everyday outdoor activities that she would have difficulty with using traditional motorized wheel chairs.
Technology Rules!
