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The Smart Drive device from Permobil has been the best addition to my wheelchair so far. This device attaches directly to the bar underneath my chair, with the ability to come on and off as needed. It is an expensive device ranging from $5000-$8000 CAD depending on where you get it from.
Attaching it to your wheelchair
The Smart Drive comes with the attachment gear for a rigid wheelchair (which I have) or you can order the gear to mount it on a folding wheelchair. I have had very few issues with the mounting gear, except in the rain the gear has come loose 1 time. After reattaching and tightening the gear that issue hasn’t happened again.
Some wheelchair users can take the device on and off while in their chair…I cannot. I don’t have the range of motion needed therefor I take it on and off when sitting behind my wheelchair. In the morning sitting on the edge of my bed, before transferring to my wheelchair, I attach to Smart Drive. Getting into the car, I transfer to the driver side seat and remove the Smart Drive before breaking down the rest of my chair.
Control Options
The Smart Drive comes with a couple options to control it including the single press button and speed dial. With the single press button you can press it to turn on, off, and “cruise control”. Pressing the button to turn it on will let the device slowly increase in speed, then pressing the button again will stop the speed increase resulting in “cruise control”, the pressed again will stop the device fully. This is a great option if the wheelchair user has limited hand control or if a caregiver is turning the device on and off.
Similarly, there’s the speed dial which most users have spoken highly about. The speed dial allows the same controls are the button with the addition of turning the dial to a set speed and adjusting as you go. You can increase or decrease the speed with the dial without turning the device off (as you would with the button option).
It is worth noting that an Apple Watch can be used to control the device but has some added risk to it. I tried the Apple Watch route where you tap your wrist on your wheel to start, stop, and “cruise control” similar to the button. Unfortunately, my watch wouldn’t register the wrist tap resulting in me running into walls and objects. I personally, did not feel safe using my watch to control the device which is why I only use the speed dial.
Speed
The device can get up to 5.5 mph, which is fast enough for me. I wouldn’t want the device to go any faster as I’d be concerns with losing control of my wheelchair. There is a Push Tracker App that allows for the max speed to be adjusted. Just note: the max speed when fresh out of the box is set to 50%
Safety Stop
I don’t know how this works exactly but with enough resistance the Smart Drive can turn off on its own. This has only happened when I have run into a wall or tipped out of my chair from a crack on the sidewalk. I think it is an emergency backup, which I’m grateful they installed.
Charging
I charge my Smart Drive every night and have never had the battery run out unless I forgot to charge it the night before. So don’t be like me, charge your device!
This Device Gave Me My Life Back!
When not in use the Smart Drive just stays on the back of my chair while I roll around. I have not noticed the weight of it but I can at times hear the rollers hitting the ground. This device has allowed me to be independent in getting to school, work, and even the grocery store. For 2 years I couldn’t go grocery shopping without driving me car even though I was only 2 minutes away. With this device, I can roll on my own to the store or just for a walk. It’s allowed me to connect with the natural environment again, instead of just looking at it through the window.