There’s a new device being manufactured in Turkey that portends the demise of the wheelchair. It seems obvious that advances in technology such as computers, robotics, and ultralight, ultrastrong materials like carbon fiber all spell the end for wheelchairs. It’s only a matter of time until we see exoskeletons and other devices that will help to restore more familiar patterns of walking to those who are impaired.

A company based in Turkey is producing a device that seems like a cross between a motorized wheelchair and a Segway. Here’s a video of the device in action:

This may only be a step along the way until the next great device that attains the same sort of ubiquity as the wheelchair does today, however, I think it’s a step in the right direction.

Gizmodo has more information on their site: http://gizmodo.com/5894489/segway+style-device-for-paraplegics-puts-wheelchairs-to-shame