Have you ever had one of those moments where you knew it would change your life? On December 19, 2007, I got an iBOT 4000. This wheelchair has changed my life forever. I can reach things that were unreachable. I can look people in the eye while talking to them. I can traverse rough terrain that my old wheelchair would only get stuck in like gravel and sand. I can sail over curbs - no more dodging the traffic to get to the next curb cut. I can even do stairs!

This little wheelchair's capabilities originally motivated me to create this web site focusing on helping other veterans obtain one.. However, Independence Technology has since stated:

Independence Technology L.L.C. is no longer selling and marketing the iBOT® Mobility System. The Company remains committed to provide technical support and service to all iBOT® Mobility System owners through the end of 2013

So that is it. No more iBOTs will be manufactured or sold. I don't know what kind of marketing plan they had, but obvously it failed or they had vey unreal expectations of sales.

Since all the patents will revert back to inventor Dean Kamen of Deka Research we will see if there is life for the iBOT beyond 2013.

About the iBOT

So what makes this wheelchair so special? They have wheelchairs out there now tat will elevate you, stand you up, has four wheeled drive and run like a race horse. So why the iBOT? Let me walk you through it's different functions and I'll come back to this question.

The Standard Function

In the standard function the iBOT is like most other rear wheel power wheelchairs. I think it is the most comfortable chair I have used. Most of the items; the foot peddles, seat back, and chair arms can all be fully adjusted. Programmed speed is set on delivery but you also have a low and high speed you can shift into. It is pretty fast in high speed. I feel the iBOT would rate pretty well against other high end wheelchairs just in the standard mode. However, this baby has tricks up it's arm rest. The best thing about the standard function is being able to leave standard and change into another function!

Four Wheel Function

Here is where the magic starts! I live out in the country and maintain my own land. There are over 75 trees on my land and after a storm the clean up can be a bit rough. Before I got the iBOT, I use to make sure my neighbor had his cell phone, so he could come and pull me out of trouble when I got stuck. So far the iBOT has handled every terrain I have thrown at it; grass, gravel, sand, and even 3" of water. When I'm in town I also use the four wheel function to glide over street curbs. This has been a life-saver to me.

Balance Function

How many times have you been in a store or at home and wanted to actually see or reach items on a higher shelf but couldn't? When I am in a store shopping I usually put the iBOT in balance function. It tips back a bit and then shifts its wheels until it is balancing on two wheels. In this function I have height and can look a six foot man in the eye. It is amazing the difference it is talking to people at eye level. Not a feeling I can really describe other than to say it feels like I am on equal footing again. I do get quite a few looks in this function. Some people have told me it looks scary, but really it isn’t. It is quite stable. Reaching things in balance mode is pretty neat – I can change the light bulb on my ceiling fan much to my wife’s delight. It has been fifteen years since I could do that.

Stairs Function

Did I mention that this thing does stairs? It will and it does them quite well. But it’s not quite as easy as driving it up or down them. As a matter of fact, when you put it in stair mode the joystick does not operate at all. You (or your assistant) must use your muscles to shift the seat position forward or back changing the center of gravity to make the iBOT climb or descend. It can be a bit of a work out. But the iBOT makes it possible. I don’t hesitate at all to use the stair mode. Sometimes I’ll do the stairs even if there is a ramp – just because I can.

So why the iBOT?

• There are other wheelchairs that will elevate you. Most do it by some sort of worm gear that will raise the seat by 8-10". Some will even put you in a standing position. The iBOT will put you to where you can look a 6' tall man in the eye and allow you to move about at that height.
• There are some wheelchairs that provide four wheel drive but their turn radius is so great (about 52") it would preclude you using it inside. The iBOT is the only wheelchair that provides true four wheel drive and has a small turn radius.
• How many wheelchairs do you know that can climb a full flight of stairs? I only know of one and I'm using it.