The New Smart Wheelchairs: Convenience vs. Care in Assistive Tech

For decades, the idea of a wheelchair that can navigate on its own has been a promise unfulfilled for most who could benefit. This year, two new products are making their way to U.S. consumers, each offering a different version of what ‘smart’ means.

Shanghai-based Robooter has launched a direct-to-consumer website selling app-connected, FDA-cleared power wheelchairs, with prices starting around $3,299. These chairs offer conveniences like app-based remote steering, automatic folding, and cruise control. However, they lack any autonomous navigation or obstacle avoidance—steering still relies on the user’s joystick.

In contrast, Strutt, a Singaporean startup, has begun delivering its EV1 model, a sensor-laden wheelchair that maps its surroundings and can navigate to a selected destination. Priced at $7,499, the EV1 has won design awards and can be purchased online, but with a important caveat: it is not classified or sold as a medical device.

The divergence raises critical questions. Engineers and rehabilitation experts point out that autonomous navigation is only half the challenge; the harder part is proving safety and reliability. Testimonies from clinicians reveal real-world concerns: autonomous wheelchairs in airports often stall or react unpredictably to shadows. For disabled users, customization is crucial—they need adaptive systems that adjust to their physical and cognitive needs, something the one-size-fits-all consumer model often overlooks.

Furthermore, experts worry that the direct-to-consumer approach bypasses essential regulatory oversight and professional fitting. Without a prescription or medical device approval, who is liable if something goes wrong? And who is left behind? Those without the means to pay out-of-pocket may miss out on these innovations, widening the gap in accessibility.

Despite these concerns, some see a silver lining. Direct sales can circumvent a complex and often unfair healthcare funding system. Yet, as one researcher noted, the true smart wheelchair—one that is autonomous, safe, approved, prescriptible, and accessible to all—does not yet exist. The new models are steps forward, but they also highlight the still-unmet promise of assistive technology.