The point of the 40% figure - there are serious issues limiting mobility and the use of power wheelchairs at this time. GeckoSystems robotic technology will greatly expand the number of disabled who can benefit from owning a power wheelchair.
Conditions causing disability
Table 2 lists the top-ranked health conditions and impairments causing disability3 among wheelchair users. Cerebrovascular disease (likely to be reported as "stroke"), which affects 180,000 wheelchair/scooter users, and osteoarthritis, affecting 170,000 persons, are the two most prevalent primary conditions. Although these conditions are commonly associated with aging, other highly prevalent conditions are not: multiple sclerosis (82,000 persons), absence or loss of lower extremity (60,000), paraplegia (59,000), and orthopedic impairments of lower extremity (59,000).
The numbers in that paragraph alone total around 600,000. You are using 10 year old figures about who uses a power wheelchair. I am discussing the people that could benefit from power wheelchairs equipped with robotic technology.
Because of added safety and the potential for reduced medical costs (which would be born by the same third party users that usually pay for the chair) I think a $3000 retrofit would see quite a few buyers.
I think a $1000 retrofit would sell like hotcakes.
By the way, here's an informative post on a user's forum about the current cost of wheelchair navigation upgrades:
The Pride Jazzy 1115 originally came with the Pilot controller (Pride part # CTLDC 1030) and it has served you well. The manufacturer,Penny and Giles, is no longer manufacturing the Pilot. Fortunately, Pride is providing a new VSI controller 4 key 50 (70) Amp for the Jazzy 1115 (Pridepart number CTLDC1270 ) (manufacturer P & G part #D50148) for a retail cost of $1607. The new VSI controller will also need a new joystick mounting bracket assembly part #FRMASMB 4767 retail $30. It is possible to have your Pilot controller rebuilt. There are many rebuild facilities that will sell you a reconditioned joystick (VSI or Pilot) for about $500 that will work on your unit. You can opt to send in yours for repair or reconditioning or purchase a reconditioned unit. Try MonsterScooterParts.com, TheAftermarketGroup.com, Wheelchair Wizard in Citrus Heights, CA. The Pilot controller was a very robust unit but very expensive for Penny and Giles to manufacture. The new replacement VSI controller actually performs better and is more streamlined and smaller. The VSI pushbutton overlay (4 key) is very easy to use, The pushbuttons control on/off/speed increase/decrease. The replacement is easy to do as long as you remember to order the new mounting bracket assembly with the VSI because the old Pilot bracket will not work. All it takes to install is 2 screws to mount the control on the bracket, 2 plugs to connect, and 2 cable ties to secure the wiring. You may want to spray electrical contact cleaner into the plug receptacles on the electronics tray to clean them before plugging in the new parts. Hope this helps.
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