Curtis Dougan

With benefits offered by PIVOT, the differently-abled can now maneuver indoor and outdoor areas effortlessly, thus allowing users to work, play, and socialize in the same environments as the rest of society. This reduces the feeling of isolation that may occur when one lacks the confidence to travel in urban areas.

By using electric motors, which are housed in each wheel, vehicle operation is as simple as push/pull control arms operated by the driver. The only other controls on PIVOT are large, bright buttons so that users with motor-function difficulties can easily manipulate them. Other functions of PIVOT, such as the wheelchair-to-pod connection, are done automatically using AI so operators can focus on the tasks ahead.

PIVOT has features such as side bolstering to keep the user in place while turning, and armrests to reduce strain on their arms and shoulders. Other features include forward-facing lighting for night trips, under-seat storage for carrying items, an adjustable footrest, and robotic legs that adjust ride height to clear obstacles and reach high shelves.

The commuter pod includes a charger in the rear, while the self-balancing wheelchair charges when connected to the pod. PIVOT’s body panels are to be constructed with reinforced recycled composites, the windscreens are starch-based plastics instead of the petroleum-based equivalent, and the aluminum front-crash protection is recycled from soda cans. Lastly, recycled fabrics are used for seat cushions.