iBOT

The iBOT is a powered wheelchair that uses gyroscopic technology to provide multiple operating modes for varied indoor and outdoor terrain.

iBOT
Inventor Dean Kamen demonstrating Balance Mode in a preproduction iBOT 3000 to President Bill Clinton at the White House, 2000
ClassificationElectronics
IndustryTransportation
ApplicationConveyance
Fuel sourceElectric
Self-propelledyes
Wheels6
InventorDEKA

The current version, the iBOT® PMD, has been manufactured by Mobius Mobility since 2019. The device was developed by Dean Kamen’s DEKA Research & Development Corp. in partnership with Johnson & Johnson's Independence Technology division. Early versions were produced by Independence Technology from 2003 to 2009.

Description

The iBOT uses gyroscopic technology[1][2] together with four powered drive wheels and two caster wheels to provide several distinct driving modes. In its 4-Wheel Mode, it has only the four drive wheels on the ground, enabling it to handle outdoor terrain such as curbs, sand, and snow.[1] In its Standard Mode, it has two of the drive wheels plus the caster wheels on the ground, and functions as a conventional rear-wheel-drive powered wheelchair.[1]

Additional modes include Balance Mode, which raises a user to eye-level height by balancing on two drive wheels, and Stair Mode, which enables a trained user to ascend and descend stairs.[1]

History

Development

Development of the iBOT started in 1990 at DEKA Research & Development in Manchester, NH. The first working prototype was available in 1992,[3]: 21  and in 1994, DEKA signed a deal with Johnson & Johnson to manufacture the device.[1]

The iBOT was revealed to the public on Dateline NBC in a segment by John Hockenberry on June 30, 1999.[4][5][3]: 53  By this time, Johnson & Johnson had already spent US$50 million on the project.[3]: 48  The iBOT was cleared by the FDA as a Class III device on August 13, 2003.[6]

The Segway PT, a non-medical device, was spun off during product development of the iBOT, leveraging the same core technology.[7] During development, the iBOT was nicknamed Fred, short for Fred Upstairs, a pun on Fred Astaire, while the Segway was nicknamed Ginger, after Fred Astaire’s dance partner Ginger Rogers.[3]: 27  The Segway PT was released in 2001.[3]: 20–30 

iBOT 3000 and iBOT 4000

Johnson & Johnson formed Independence Technology to bring the iBOT to the market. The original iBOT 3000 entered production in 2003,[2][8] and was superseded by the iBOT 4000 in 2005.[8]

Due to the FDA classification, the iBOT 3000 and iBOT 4000 could not have any modifications made to their seating or controllers,[1] meaning they could not be customized to individual users. Additionally, insurance coverage was minimal for these devices, which sold for $25,000-$28,000.[1][7] Only 500 units were sold, and Johnson & Johnson discontinued production in 2009.[1]

iBOT PMD

In late 2014, Kamen announced that the FDA had reclassified the iBOT from a Class III to a Class II medical device. This lowering of regulatory controls allowed DEKA to revive the dormant iBOT and start development on a next generation product.[9]

In 2019, the next generation iBOT® PMD (Personal Mobility Device) was released to market by Mobius Mobility in Manchester, NH.[7][1] The iBOT® PMD retains the same core modes of operation from the earlier generations, but is lighter, has improved seating options, and has updated electronics throughout.[1]

The FDA has granted the iBOT PMD both the IMK (Wheelchair, Stair Climbing) and ITI (Wheelchair, Powered) product codes.[10]

References
  1. Vogel, Bob (1 July 2019). "The iBot is Back. Is the Second Time the Charm?". New Mobility. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  2. Watanabe, Laurie (1 February 2009). "Independence Technology Discontinues the iBOT". Mobility Management. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  3. Kemper, Steve (2003). Code Name Ginger: The Story Behind Segway and Dean Kamen's Quest to Invent a New World. Harvard Business Press. ISBN 9781578516735.
  4. "A whole new set of wheels". msnbc.com. 26 October 2003. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  5. "The iBOT". msu.edu. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  6. "Recently-Approved Devices - INDEPENDENCE™ iBOT™ 3000 Mobility System – P020033". www.fda.gov. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  7. Romano, Andrew; Matthews, Sam (20 May 2021). "The iBOT: A mission to revolutionize the wheelchair". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  8. "History: Commitment to Personal Mobility". mobiusmobility.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  9. "Dean Kamen—Leadership in Engineering".
  10. "510(k) Premarket Notification". accessdata.fda.gov. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
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