Designed and manufactured by presenter and inventor Andrew Slorance, Carbon Black promises to revolutionise the experience of wheelchair users worldwide.
Built in England using the very latest composite materials and Formula 1 engineering, Carbon Black is set to change our perceptions of the wheelchair. The vision was to take F1 technology and ergonomics and apply it to the wheelchair, resulting in a desirable piece of design and technology, rather than purely a medical device.
Devices for DignityWorking alongside Andrew Slorance as a collaborative NHS development partner, National Health Technology Cooperative Devices for Dignity (D4D) identified Carbon Black as a project worthy of their support, providing Andrew with funding and expert guidance to support him taking his revolutionary product to market.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has been used to determine the optimum layup of carbon fibre to ensure the chair can cope with the tough demands of the active user. A foam core throughout the monocoque frame and wheels gives outstanding stiffness for unprecedented energy efficiency and the minimal design of Carbon Black makes it extremely compact, giving the user improved access.
An added benefit being that it does not dominate the appearance, resulting in more person, less wheelchair. Carbon Black is the ideal wheelchair for active, independent people and every chair is bespoke - built to an individual’s requirements.
This new product is due to be launched at Naidex South exhibition, London Excel on 19th October – Stand: G1.
Andrew Slorance comments on why this new product will revolutionise the market: “One of the worst days of my life was the first time I went out in public in a wheelchair. I was fourteen, the chair was so big and heavy I could hardly move it. I felt truly disabled, my ability was compromised by the limited capability of the wheelchair.
Over the years wheelchairs have become lighter, but they are still a long way from being desirable products. It is my aim that the user of Carbon Black will feel empowered, their ability optimised by using a high end piece of technology built by F1 engineers.”
Andrew Slorance who has presented and directed television programmes for BBC, ITN and Channel 4 has turned inventor and entrepreneur to reinvent the wheelchair. Andrew and his wife Mary are being filmed for a dedicated BBC documentary of their journey to re-invent a product stuck in evolution. This documentary will air in 2012.
For more information visit: http://www.iimaginedesign.com/
