Developed with the help of a $500,000 development grant from the Mobility Unlimited Challenge, which is run by the Toyota Mobility Foundation together with Nesta's Challenge Prize Centre, the Phoenix I wheelchair uses smart technology to improve its basic functionality.
Made of lightweight carbon-fibre, the wheelchair's wheels are mounted on an adjustable axle that can move forward or backwards depending on the user's position.
It is connected to sensors that detect whether the user is leaning forward or back and moves the axle position to adjust its centre of gravity accordingly. This means that the wheelchair can be both stable and agile while reducing the risk of falling backwards.
Phoenix Instinct intend on selling the Phoenix i wheelchair at a price comparable to conventional wheelchairs as the company believes that smart wheelchairs should become widely used.
