The rowchair is a compact rowing wheelchair, designed to climb steep hills on rough terrain, and to cover large distances with minimal effort, yet to be easily manoeuvered indoors. The chair as pictured here was designed and built by Steve Langton, a musical instrument maker from Queensland Australia. Further refinements have since been made by an MIT team consisting of Steve together with Joel Sadler and Rae Langton.

Close up of the drive mechanism. Ratcheting bicycle freewheels prevent rollback when taking the Rowchair up steep hills. Since this picture was taken a netural gear has been added, actuated by depressing the main levers. This disengages the drive mechanism, and so converts the rowchair into what is in effect a standard wheelchair that can be wheeled forwards or backwards, allowing easy manoeuverability in confined spaces.

Posted by: Ian Swoboda