Monday, January 24, 2022

S2E0: Bonus - canals, trains, cars and wheelchairs

 We just published a new podcast. Here is the blog to go with it.


This little video is a great little explainer of why canals were so important before trains.



This little video gives a little snapshot of how fast the change from dirt roads to what we think of as modern roads - because they all look alike (but actually road technology continually evolves).

 


Within a couple of decades of The Model T there was huge development of the ecosystem. This little fabulous video gives an idea of the development of road rules.


... now to the wheelchair


In this season we plan to talk more about the development of the current high technology rigid frame  wheelchair. However, for now we will look at the new super add-ons.


The freewheel.

 



In Australia they have invented the Gecko Traxx which looks like it would be great on sand, perhaps even snow.

     



This summer we tried out the Batec power assist for wheelchairs. Developed in Barcelona you can see it works great on flat and paved terrain for power assist and leaves your chair free to use indoors. 


However, if the terrain is gravel and even a little steep the Batec has no grip and wheel spins.