Manufacturer
Alber GmbH
D-72461 Albstadt
www.alber.de 

Design
UP Designstudio GmbH & Co. KG
D-70174 Stuttgart
www.updesignstudio.de 

Active wheelchair users often only need motorised support in special situations rather than all the time. And that is precisely what this drive unit has been designed for: it can be docked onto the wheelchair in next to no time by the user and integrates all the components into a compact and robust housing along with the hub motor, rechargeable lithium ion battery, control electronics and back light. The drive can achieve speeds of up to 10 kilometres per hour, cope with gradients of up to 16 percent and provide enough power for a range of up to 20 kilometres. Thanks to the traction wheel, which swivels a full 360 degrees, the wheelchair remains fully agile. The control unit can be positioned as required; besides being used to select the speed setting, it also serves as an emergency stop button and battery charge indicator. It connects with the drive via Bluetooth, as does the accompanying smartphone app that provides immediate information about the battery status and remaining range.

Jury
A very neatly developed drive concept that provides motorised support for any wheelchair whenever the user wants. The small, lightweight unit is simple to attach and avoids any resemblance to an electric wheelchair. The controls are deliberately simple and the push-rims are still used for steering.