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When you think about different ways of getting around on two wheels, you would probably think of bikes or scooters. |
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But check this out - it's called an Ibot 3000, and from summer 2002 it will revolutionise the way that some disabled people get around. It may look like an ordinary powered wheelchair, but... |
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...it's the only wheelchair that can balance on two wheels automatically. It does so thanks to an incredibly clever computer. |
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In the studio, top paralympic basketball player Clare Strangers popped in to give her opinion. Claire represented Great Britain at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and was named Sunday Times 1998 Inspirational Sportswoman of the year. |
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Claire explained that some everyday things that most people take for granted can be quite difficult in an ordinary wheelchair. |
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So, time for a studio demonstration or two! These shelves are similar to the ones found in shops and supermarkets. When shopping, wheelchair users often have to ask others to retrieve items that are on high shelves. |
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But not with the Ibot 3000! It can balance on two wheels and yet remain completely stable. This allows the person to reach things that other wheelchair users can't. |
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It also enables the person in the wheelchair to have a conversation with someone who's standing at eye level! |
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Stairs can also be a problem in buildings where there are no lifts. But the Ibot 3000 can climb the stairs. The user simply leans back and this instructs the wheelchair that the user wants to climb the stairs. The wheels move one over the other! |
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The chair's computer gives it fantastic balance. When Kate is thrown a sack of potatoes weighing 8kg, she finds it quite difficult to stay standing. So how does the wheelchair cope? |
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No problem! When David in the wheelchair catches the sack of potatoes, the chair moves backwards to compensate for the weight. This prevents the wheelchair from falling over. |
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And when the sack is thrown back to Kate, her brain tells her to move backwards in order to stay standing. A bit like the computer in the wheelchair, only the wheelchair is better at it! |
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So what's Claire's opinion? Ten out of ten! Eureka! |
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