HLPR Chair

There’s a new wheelchair system that sounds promising for both caregiver and wheelchair bound.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology are working on a robotic system that merits attention, offering independence and more mobility. It’s called the HLPR Chair (ostensibly for Home Lift, Position and Rehabilitation but the similarity to the word “helper” can’t be missed) and its antecedents come from defense and manufacturing industries. Think of a forklift on casters but miniaturized so it can fit through your bathroom door. It’s driven by a joystick and other manageable controls that allow the patient to rotate out making bathroom seats and other transfers doable (providing the load doesn’t exceed 300 pounds) all the while supporting for standing and sitting chores.

Those rehabbing from a stroke will be able to keep their legs moving without the stress of supporting their whole body. There are padded lifts under the arms a la crutches and the vacant space below makes leg exercises possible.

Future plans for the HLPR Chair involve voice activation and new maneuvers for legs. Engineering minds are to be congratulated for applying current technology to helping otherwise healthy immobile individuals achieve a measure of normalcy.