August 2008
Freedom of mobility
By Hari Vasudevan, Managing Director - Ostrich Mobility
Ostrich Mobility based in Bangalore might be the rising star in the field of affordable electric wheelchairs. The company entered in the field of powered wheelchairs back in 2003 when first prototypes for indoor use were developed. In 2004, the company launched two outdoor electric wheelchairs, Model 1 and Verve. In 2005, the company introduced first model with joystick and touch/pad, and in 2006, sophisticated electric wheelchairs for adults and children were put to market (models V100 and V40). In 2007, the company introduced first ever electric wheelchair with split frame chassis that is base for new electric wheelchair - Pristine FLEX. 2008 model of Pristine offers top speed of 7 Kmph and the wheelchair's batteries offer drive range of 20 Km. Price of this electric wheelchair is at least 6 times lower than the imported one of similar or with less features. The wheelchairs are priced from Rs 48,000 that allows many people to buy the equipments.
Recently company rounded its offerings under global brands Joywheels and E-wheels, where its unique ideas and engineering solutions are combined in what is the most cost effective electric wheelchair on the global market. This is a must, as average Indian salary is below 1,000 USD/year. Now, the split frame design is put in all electric wheelchair offerings from the company. Company currently has the production capability of 100 wheelchairs per month.
E-wheels and joywheels concepts build on quality manufacturing with emphasis on Safety, Reliability and Comfort - providing solutions in vibration, speed, slope handling, terrain driving, center of gravity, night driving and summing all in cost effectiveness of final product, which - we are sure - many wheelchair buying guides will recognize. Company revolutionized its design by implementing its own patented solution - the split frame.
The Split Frame Chassis assures good drive control, better maneuverability, good control capabilities when negotiating slanting and rough road conditions by reducing the side drag, and ensures very fine control over the equipment when driving up or down gradient. In conventional chassis electric wheelchairs, the wheels lift up when there is a level difference on the ground or floor the wheelchair is running. This can cause loss of control leading to accidents. The split frame chassis makes sure that all the four wheels touch the ground with a level difference up to 100 mm thus giving a better drive control and better maneuverability in tough terrain conditions. This design also helps to drive across inclines within 15 degrees. The split frame thus reduces the risk of accidents for an electric wheelchair.