It’s safe to say that power wheelchairs have come a long way over the years. What was once just an electrically-powered wheelchair in limited configuration is now a complex custom device, sporting multiple power seat functions, drive wheel options, and even memory seating profiles. As technology continues its path to augment our everyday life, the “connected wheelchair” is a natural progression.
The MyPermobil app is available for new Permobil F3, F5, F5VS, M3, and M5 Corpus wheelchairs, equipped with Connect hardware. It’s also free to download!
Once activated, MyPermobil communicates directly with your power wheelchair and provides real-time insights on battery range estimates, distance travelled, and seating system behaviour.
So, what does this mean when you’re out and about? You get a visual picture in hours or kilometers of how far you can go each day, how far you went before (perfect for long trips!), and the ability to plan your journey using the integrated map with GPS function. If you reposition often throughout the day, the app also shows precise data on seating angles and adjustment tracking.
The latest update to MyPermobil adds a Voice Assistant using Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant, giving users hands-free access to the functions via voice commands.
A connected Permobil chair does more than just give user insights. Should anything go wrong while you’re away, the Connect hardware communicates errors to your service provider remotely, enabling faster troubleshooting and ultimately less downtime for you.
Stay informed and feel confident with MyPermobil, whether you’re going around the block or adventuring a little further from home.
To find your local retailer, call Permobil on 1300 845 483, email them, or visit their website.
This feature first appeared in Travel Without Limits magazine. You can subscribe here.
