From Japan, add-on turns manual wheelchairs into electric ones

WHILL is an attachment that converts traditional wheelchairs into electric ones.

Electric wheelchairs have brought new mobility to disabled individuals around the world, but with prices typically starting at around USD 1,000, they’re not within reach for everyone. That’s where WHILL comes in, with an attachment that converts traditional wheelchairs into electric ones. A creation of the Japanese company by the same name, WHILL includes two circular hubs that attach to the wheels of any wheelchair. Powered by lithium ion batteries, those hubs each contain a 24-volt electric motor that brings electric drive to manual wheelchairs, with speeds of up to 20 km per hour, according to a report on Gizmag. For users, steering the chair is reportedly just a matter of leaning in the direction they want to go. The video below demonstrates WHILL in action: WHILL is now just in its prototype stage, and no pricing information is yet available. However, its maker is looking for help testing out the new device. One to get involved in early? Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann