Forget the IBOT. I want one of these!

[Tazlikesrobots]

The name says it all "Tankchair" :D

http://www.tankchair.com/default.htm

[KenWittlief]

YIKES! what a monster machine!

It looks very intimidating.

The text says it can go up and down stairs, but they dont show any photos or video of it on stairs. From the photo of it 1/3rd way up a curb, I cant see it taking on a real flight of stairs.

I think I would rather have an IBOT (if I needed a wheelchair).

The IBOT will go through snow, water, sand, gravel - its very compact, it will go up and down stairs in a stable manner

and you cant under estimate the importance of 'UP' mode, allowing a person to be at eye level with people who are standing.

If I were going to be strapped in a chair all day, I would prefer the quiet dignity of something that looks like an office chair (the IBOT) over something that looks like a cross between a Sherman tank and a Bombedeir Snow Cat.

[Bill_Hancoc]

I have to agree with ken...there is no way that that thing is going to get up a filght of stairs without a "wheelie bar" or some other anti-tip mechanism.

But that does not in any way remove my desire to own one.

[Greg Needel]

if i was going to own a wheelchair that is not an ibot i would want one of these.
http://www.ohgizmo.com/2006/04/26/the-wl-16iii-walkbot-not-yet-a-segway-contender/


I saw that tank chair thing got sent around a while ago for a good laugh.

[KenWittlief]

considering how long it took for the IBOT to get safety test approvial / certification, I wonder if the TankChair has been tested by any agency?

It looks like it could be very dangerous if a child got a hand or foot caugh in the tread mechanism.

[Bill_Hancoc]

Greg...That thing looks a little shakey

Ken...I dont think it is aproved...its prolly just a homebrew entertainment device with some safety labels

[Greg Marra]

if i was going to own a wheelchair that is not an ibot i would want one of these.
http://www.ohgizmo.com/2006/04/26/the-wl-16iii-walkbot-not-yet-a-segway-contender/

I think wheelchair is a compound word, of um, wheel and chair. That device fails 50% of the criteria!

[GeorgeTheEng]

If it's going to be called a TANK chair, it's needs the OTHER feature that all tanks have... A large cannon... Then you will see it selling to managers, directors, and VPs across the country... There is no motivator like a large caliber bullet pointed right at you!

(I'm sure everyone knows a person or two they would like to chase down with an armed tankchair... It can't just be me :yikes: )

[lukevanoort]

If it's going to be called a TANK chair, it's needs the OTHER feature that all tanks have... A large cannon... Then you will see it selling to managers, directors, and VPs across the country... There is no motivator like a large caliber bullet pointed right at you!

(I'm sure everyone knows a person or two they would like to chase down with an armed tankchair... It can't just be me :yikes: )
I don't see a cannon + turret fitting well, but a couple of TOW 2A or Hellfire missiles mounted on the left and right of the chair, over the tracks would be awesome. Maybe a deployable Lexan blast shield? A couple of Stingers on the back wouldn't hurt either. Add in a satellite uplink and a wine cooler and you'd have the perfect James Bond style wheelchair!

[Alex Golec]

From what I've seen in those pictures, (1 (http://www.tankchair.com/gallery/image2.htm) & 2 (http://www.tankchair.com/gallery/image21.htm)) It doesnt't look like it has any balencing mechanism in it. I cannot imagine what it must be like to go up stairs. Actually, it must feel alot like the Millenium force lift mechanism...

I think this wheelchair ..err.. tankchair.. is better suited for heavy-duty outdoors trips and camping than an IBOT, and vice versa the IBOT is much better suited for home and city use.

Very intimidating, I must say. They just need a (poofball) cannon to complete it for 100% tank credit.

_Alex

[KenWittlief]

If it's going to be called a TANK chair, it's needs the OTHER feature that all tanks have... A large cannon... Then you will see it selling to managers, directors, and VPs across the country...

most managers, directors and VPs ARE loose cannons

so all you need to do is strap them in the seat!

[Bill_Hancoc]

most managers, directors and VPs ARE loose cannons

so all you need to do is strap them in the seat!
one of the people who work with my dad is known as the unguided missile so maybe a aiming mechanism should be added