Korean startup Todo Works' IoT Power Drive for those in wheelchair

Navigating one’s path in a wheelchair can be a daunting task for those forced to live with one. Whether it is for the elderly or those with physiological disabilities or the accident victims or children with disabilities, pushing around on a wheelchair – whether manual or automatic – the wheelchair is never easy. A manual wheelchair requires a lot of effort for movement, and an automatic wheelchair is heavier in weight.

But then technology like power add-ons are trying to balance weight and effort for manual wheelchairs. Korean startup Todo Works has also brought to the market a ‘power add-on’ that is lighter power with high-tech features and functions.

Lightweight, Transportable & Smart Add-On for all wheelchairs

CEO James Shin founded the company in 2016 after an accidental meeting with a child in a wheelchair. The startup is now dedicated to better people’s lives with the use of technology. In comparison, many other power add-ons exist in the wheelchair market; Todo Drive’s IoT-based power add-on makes it smarter than other suppliers in the market.

Todo Drive Power Assist enables manual wheelchair users to add a simple kit to their chair’s frame with five components: a motor, a joystick, a computing board, clamps, and a battery. The only other tool required to install the Power Assist is a 5mm hex key. Todo Drive’s various IoT sensors enable users to calibrate and control the device with their smartphone with a range of 7 km. Todo-Drive App comes with remote control, so the user can set up the speed and joystick sensitivity as per their comfort. Besides, if users want to revert to manual handling of the wheelchair, they can detach Todo Drive from the wheelchair by releasing the lever.

Todo Drive Power Assist is the most lightweight add-on compared to any other similar product in the market. It weighs only 5 kg and has a universal design, which is well-suited for foldable wheelchairs and fixed frame wheelchairs. The power add-on is easily transportable so that one can travel the world with Todo Drive. Its 0.9kg removable battery pack can be taken on the flight. The cost of the Todo Works add-on is currently $3000, which is also the least compared to other products.

Drive to help children with mobility difficulties

Todo Drive Power Assist is the prime product of the startup. The company is planning to make more similar products based on sensors and communication technologies. Todo Works identifies itself as a startup that helps anyone with mobility difficulties using technology. And keeping with its social impact commitment goal, Todo Works has been doing much more work for the welfare of children with disabilities.

The startup has designed a special wheelchair suited for children Todo-i, available with its power add-on. The company has also collaborated with wheelchair maker Otto Bock Korea Healthcare for supplying the power add-on to their children’s wheelchair range. Todo Works also runs a ‘World File’ Project targeted to help elementary school children who use a wheelchair by providing user lessons, correct wheelchairs, Todo Drives, etc. In 2019, Todo Works had more than 1000 wheelchair users through the social impact program in Korea. The company wants to expand globally with its technology and help more people in wheelchairs.

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