Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 88, Issue 11 , Pages 1423-1428 , November 2007

The Segway Personal Transporter as an Alternative Mobility Device for People With Disabilities: A Pilot Study

Presented in part to the International Seating Symposium, March 11−14, 2007, Orlando/Lake Buena Vista, FL.

  • Bonita Sawatzky, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedics, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests to Bonita Sawatzky, PhD, Dept of Orthopaedics, 4480 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada
    • ,
  • Ian Denison, BPT

      Affiliations

    • G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
    • ,
  • Shauna Langrish, MOT

      Affiliations

    • School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
    • ,
  • Shonna Richardson, MOT

      Affiliations

    • School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
    • ,
  • Kelly Hiller, BPT

      Affiliations

    • G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
    • ,
  • Bronwyn Slobogean, BA

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedics, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada

References 

  1. Segway Inc. Segway Smart Motion™. The science behind the technology. Available at: http://www.segway.com/personal-transporter/how_it_works.html. Accessed July 31, 2007.
  2. Neebe M. Hands on: gear, gadgets & great ideas. First in the nation: Boston EMS integrates Segway human transporter into EMS operations. J Emerg Med Serv. 2002;27(6):103–107
  3. Segway Inc. Personal transporters, concept centaur and robotics, all powered by Segway Smart Motion™. Available at: http://web.lesmielles.com/segway_channel_islands/segway_ci/products_page.htm. Accessed July 31, 2007.
  4. Independence Technology. About the iBOT® Mobility System. Available at: http://www.ibotnow.com/ibot/index.html. Accessed July 31, 2007.
  5. Road Access − Disability Alliance. Articles, essays and support group items about Segway users who have mobility challenges. Nov. 1, 2004. Available at: http://www.digitalthreads.com/segway/segdart1.html. Accessed July 31, 2007.
  6. Bricklin D. Segways and special needs. Apr 12, 2004. Available at: http://www.bricklin.com/segwayemail.htm. Accessed July 31, 2007.
  7. Sabatini J. With halfway to go, they’re still standing. New York Times. 2004;Oct 27. http://travel.nytimes.com/2004/10/27/automobiles/autospecial/27SEGW.html?ex=1186027200&en=b5a473a80b193480&ei=5070. Accessed July 31, 2007
  8. Kamen D. Dean Kamen, inventor on the move. Ability 2005. 2002;June
  9. Eisman JA, Kelly PJ, Morrison NA, et al. Peak bone mass and osteoporosis prevention. Osteoporosis Int. 1993;1:56–60
  10. Mortenson WB, Miller WC, Boily J, et al. Perceptions of power mobility use and safety within residential facilities. Can J Occup Ther. 2005;72:142–152
  11. Routhier F, Vincent C, Desrosiers J, Nadeau S, Guereet C. Development of an obstacle course assessment of wheelchair user performance (OCAWUP): a content validity study. Technol Disabil. 2004;16:19–31
  12. Travis SS, Hendricks M, McClanahan L, Osmaond A, Pruett C. Motorized cart driver safety in assisted living. Geriatr Nurs. 2001;22:213–215
  13. Canning B, Sanchez G. Considering power mobility for individuals with stroke. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2004;2(5):84–95
  14. Hardy P. Powered wheelchair mobility: an occupational performance evaluation perspective. Aust Occup Ther J. 2004;51:34–42
  15. Jacobs JW, Bernhard MR, Delgado A, Strain JJ. Screening for organic mental syndromes in the medically ill. Ann Intern Med. 1977;86:40–46
  16. Berg K, Wood-Dauphinee S, Williams JI, Maki B. Measuring balance in the elderly: validation of an instrument. Can J Public Health. 1992;2:7–11
  17. O’Driscoll SW, Horii E, Ness R, Cahalan TD, Richards RR, An KN. The relationship between wrist position, grasp size and grip strength. J Hand Surg [Am]. 1992;17:169–177
  18. Podsiadlo D, Richardson S. The timed “Up & Go”: a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1991;39:142–148

 Supported by In it for Life (Vancouver Coastal Health).

 No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.

PII: S0003-9993(07)01343-3

doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2007.08.005

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 88, Issue 11 , Pages 1423-1428 , November 2007

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