10005033Series 5: Bringing disruptive innovation to the powered wheelchair marketClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKThe COVID-19 pandemic has meant wheelchair users being confined to their homes and having freedom severely restricted when out and about. Around 30% of users rely on powered wheelchairs to get around, even in the home. Before COVID-19 many wheelchair users already faced delays in obtaining their chair with 70% waiting more than 3 months. Since the pandemic, this situation has become significantly worse as supply has been limited through manufacturing closures and socially distanced working practices. Some of the biggest concerns of users are around wheelchair break down and short battery life that would cause them to become stranded or isolated. Wheelchair design and technology has remained unchanged for around 25 years, supplying chairs which are unreliable, require frequent servicing and parts replacement and which are not environmentally friendly. FreedomOneLife delivers radical change to the powered wheelchair market. We have spent the past 5 years developing a disruptive and innovative solution to improve performance, reliability, efficiency and aesthetics. Our technology will increase user confidence and stretch the boundaries of powerchair performance and reliability. Our Series 5 design uses the latest sustainable innovative components for batteries, motors and control units, for improved efficiency, extended battery life and combines this with a robust, modern design. Our powerchairs could future proof users against breakdowns, long waits for parts and bring confidence that their mobility will be preserved in any future pandemic scenario. Our chairs are also easier and swifter to manufacture and could bring innovation to the industry ensuring production even during socially distanced conditions. In order to access our target market, we need certification as a Class 1 medical device. We were at the point of commencing testing when the COVID-19 lockdown hit. This project will undertake the complex electrical and mechanical tests needed to create the required technical file for medical device classification. We will work with a supply chain partner to establish a cost-effective manufacturing base from which to supply chairs to distributors across Europe who are waiting to place orders.