softwheel-wheelchair-users

The aptly named Softwheel is a company that tries to make riding through cobblestone street with a neck injury on a wheelchair less painful.

The company is valued at $140 million and recently raised $25 million dollars to move forward with its new wheel design.

The wheel has a built-in suspension system. The spokes (the structure between the outer edge and the center disc of a wheel) would absorb the impact created by riding on an uneven surface.

Softwheel has three suspension arms attached to the wheel frame. Image via Bike-on
Softwheel has three suspension arms attached to the wheel frame. Image via Bike-on

Users can fit the wheel on a wheelchair or a bicycle.

A wheelchair user travels uphill on Softwheel. Image via Softwheel Technology
A wheelchair user travels uphill on Softwheel. Image via Softwheel Technology

The less vibration coming from the wheels means less pain for the users. The wheel is available in size 24 and 25. The weight limit is 300 pounds.

Gilad Wolf, the product designer tests out the Softwheel on his wheelchair. Image via NoCamel
Gilad Wolf, the product designer tests out the Softwheel on his wheelchair. Image via NoCamel

The founder of Softwheel, Gilad Wolf, started the company as he was trying to recover from a broken pelvis in 2008. He presented his concepts to Rad-Biomed Technology Accelerator, an organization that funds life science companies in Israel.

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