"My journey to develop a sustainable tyre for wheelchair users started from my own experience. Two years ago, I ended up in a wheelchair for a while and this made me realise that there are many things that are not well thought out for wheelchair users. As a wheelchair user, I was confronted with challenges every day that others hardly notice. Accessibility is so much more than just wide doors and lifts. It is the small, hidden obstacles that remind us of our limitations: those rock-hard caster wheels under our wheelchairs, especially the small front wheels that so often get us into trouble. Every crack or protruding stone in the road can cause a fall and riding over cobblestones is anything but comfortable. I avoid cobblestones as much as possible and prefer smooth concrete slabs or asphalt, simply to avoid feeling uncomfortable jolts every time.
The hard caster wheels aren’t just annoying; they limit my freedom, restricting where I can go and how I can move. Such a simple choice – the choice to ride a certain path – becomes a huge challenge. I had to constantly weigh up whether a path was feasible and often chose detours, meaning my movements could never be truly spontaneous.
All of this led me to a question that would not let go: why is there no wheel that is comfortable and helps me overcome obstacles such as cobblestones, stones and cracks with ease? From that question I started my search for a solution that gives wheelchair users the freedom to go and stand where they want, without making concessions on comfort. I started working on a wheel that is not only sustainable and low-maintenance, but that really focuses on our comfort. A wheel that no longer limits us, but supports us and gives us back a bit of independence.
That's how I came to an airless tire that I can 3D print with cushioning. This essentially imitates a pneumatic tire that offers more comfort but without the hassle of pumping it up. My goal is for this wheel to support us physically and mentally and help us overcome those daily obstacles, so that we can experience life without worrying about the road ahead. Because every wheelchair user deserves that freedom." Written by Wannes Van Laerhoven, Founder of ETS
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