Wheelchairs are so important to those with restricted mobility. Thanks to wheelchairs those with restricted movement can become more portable and recover their independence. There are two most important kind of wheelchairs and they are the manual wheelchair and the electric wheelchair.

Manual Wheelchair

The manual wheelchair has been in use for decades and has gone through many changes. The constant feature has been that the chair is self propelled by pushing on the hand edges that surround the wheels. The owner actually pushes the wheels around and around to get from one location to the other. In addition to that, the footrests to a manual wheelchair can be removed and the user can walk the chair forward with his feet.

Electric Wheelchair

Electric wheelchairs are of course powered by batteries. These wheelchairs are bigger, heavier and sturdier because they have to be able to hold the extra mass of the motor and the battery. Electric wheelchairs also vary in their sophistication. Some are simple and use standard batteries and joy stick controllers. Others use microprocessors and robotic circuitry which make possible the wheelchair to lift up itself on to wheels so it can go up stairs. The degree of complexity is reflected in the price of an electric wheelchair. The prices can vary from $2000 all the way up to $30,000.

The most advanced electric wheelchair today is the iBOT. The iBOT is so technologically sophisticated that it can go up up stairs, glide across gravel and even raise so the user can reach high shelves. The iBOT can even self adjust its stabilization to balance for use on four wheels and two wheels.

A unique software package called iBALANCE is getting data via different sensors and gyroscopes, allowing the iBOT to preserve stability during certain maneuvers. For example during curb climbing the chair stays level while parts of the frame tilt to climb the curb.

The majority people will not be able to obtain such a expensive wheelchair as the iBOT. The typical cost for an electric wheelchair today is around $7000. This is for a wheelchair from a known brand and certified dealer. It is not recommended to purchase a used electric wheelchair because you can never tell if they have been damaged or have worn out motors and batteries. As a substitute, purchase your chair from a licensed seller so it comes with full coverage for servicing.

Electric wheelchairs use diverse types of propelling systems. One technique is the rear wheel drive wheelchair. This is the most common. This type of wheelchair has good speed but turns can be complicated. Another type is the mid wheel drive wheelchair. These are easier to turn and they are rather efficient , but they can be unsteady with unexpected stops and starts. They are not as fast as the rear wheel drive wheelchairs.

When choosing an electric wheelchair, take your time and evaluate capabilities and prices. Ask for extra information from wheelchair dealers so you can make a correct decision.