Just when you think you've seen it all... Here is an electric vehicle which was built using golf cart parts. The contraption is said to be capable of twenty-two miles per hour. Doesn't sound all that impressive, huh? Read on. According to its maker, the seat comes from a Marine rescue helicopter, which is kinda cool, and it's capable of operation on just about any terrain. We're not really sure what it means when the machine is described as having "several forms of steering," but we're willing to go with it. So, what is it that makes this particular machine different than any other electric runabout? Oh, not much, but how about that flame thrower?

According to Lance Greathouse, "It was made for the disabled person looking for something a little different, why drive something that looks like a medical device when you can drive something lethal?" Why indeed? In case you're not into fire, may we suggest the Segway as an alternative?


[Source: RaceGreathouseLabs.com via Gizmag]

Click on the image for more shots of the Future Chair wheelchairs

While many engineers are looking towards carbon fiber as a way to lighten up our automobiles, with very good reason, others are using the lightweight composite material in human-powered vehicles, like bicycles and... wheelchairs. Not only is carbon fiber lightweight, it's also quite strong and the weave of the material makes a big difference as to how the material responds to vibration and harshness, so the wheelchair can be "tuned" for a specific user. All this technology leads to a wheelchair from Future Chairs which weights just 13.9 pounds, though it's pretty expensive at ₤2,595 and is only available in the UK.

While on the subject of wheelchairs, take a look at the prototype Dreamfit motorcycle which was designed specifically for paraplegics. So, it's not made from carbon fiber, but it does feature stabilizing wheels and thumb shifters along with a system designed to keep riders with poor lower-body strength mounted on the seat properly. The company also makes ski boats and hovercrafts for paraplegics. Seriously, how cool is that?



[Source: Gizmag]

The video above is all about the Kenguru, an electric car specifically designed for a wheelchair. Kenguru has a large door at the back that opens by remote control, so a person in a wheelchair can easily enter the car. The Hungarian company Rehab Ltd. designed the Kenguru, which has a 35-mile range and a top speed of 25 miles per hour. The car is free in Hungary for qualified people and is expected to come to the United States for $14,500.

Related:

• Videos: Toyota's MR, Segway wheelchair

[Source: YouTube]