10:00, 23 September 2021
Words by Smiley Team, Staff Writer, London
A stair-climbing wheelchair has been refigured and redeveloped into a two-wheel electric mobility device with the ability to climb 30 stairs per minute.
The Scewo Bro includes an elevation function that helps people reach areas that aren't typically accessible with traditional wheelchairs. It has a top speed of 6mph and has a range of 15.5 miles when fully charged.
It’s currently available in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria and ensures people of restricted mobility can live their lives independently, reducing many inequalities that they may face.
[Read more inspirational stories about people helping to reduce inequalities]
The wheelchair, which was honoured with designboom’s The Design Prize in 2018, was born out of a Swiss start-up. Five years ago, it was simply a student project with prototypes made of sack trucks and cardboard.
“It was an indescribable feeling to watch the first two customers drive home with the series model,” said Bernhard Winter, CEO and Co-Founder of Scewo.
One of the first users of the wheelchair, José, said: “It will offer me a lot of freedom. Only to be able to overcome small obstacles, such as door thresholds or curbs, will change my life.”
The young company is the only one in the world to produce an electric wheelchair that can be driven on two wheels and climb stairs. Find out more at Scewo.
