751963The Freedom One WheelchairClosedVouchersInnovate UKThe purpose of this project is to obtain professional legal assistance to file and prosecute a patent application to protect the electronics component of our wheelchair design. Freedom One Life Ltd. was created to design, produce and manufacture a new generation of power wheelchair. Our USP’s include: Practical for public and private transport, weighing less than half the 180kg weight of current power wheelchairs. Minimum 48 hours lithium battery life and built in, internationally compatible charging. Compared to 2-4 hours per charge of full use and an external charger. Energy, weight and space efficient ergonomic design, maximising resources in the smallest dimensions possible to deliver power, torque, speed, range and manoeuvrability. Current wheelchairs are cumbersome and large, making them hard to manoeuvre. Direct customer service, online support and of access to affordable parts with fast delivery and DIY capability. Compared to having to use dealers to source expensive parts, also having to pay expensive call out fees for any kind of repair or service. Our product harnesses modern technology and manufacturing techniques, creating a lightweight, comfortable and durable power wheelchair that will revolutionise both the power wheelchair market and the lives of disabled users across the world. We are based in Scotland, with the majority of our suppliers also from the UK. There are an estimated 1.2 million power wheelchair users in the UK and we believe there is significant potential to expand our business globally. In 2011, more than 5 million wheelchairs were sold worldwide, which generated 4.6 hundred million to 4.8 hundred million dollars in sales volume. Most of our design uses affordable and accessible off the shelf parts, however the key to delivering the wheelchair’s benefits lies in the design in the electronics and computer system which effectively manages and controls the batteries, motors and charging to deliver hugely improved performance and reliability. We are applying for support to help us develop this system.