Everyday, we use our body for all sorts of tasks without even thinking twice about it but we don’t even appreciate our body’s ability to do the simplest of things until we see or meet someone who has a disability. One of the most common disabilities you see when you’re out and about are people who are confined to wheelchairs. A wheelchair definitely makes simple tasks more complicated including accessing off-road terrain and trails. But the HexHog is here to change that.
An engineer and a son of a farmer, Sion Pierce is the brains behind the HexHog off-road wheelchair. In Pierce’s final year at University, he came to know of a farming family who used ATVs to access their land but one of the family members could not participate as he was in a wheelchair. That particular individual was the inspiration behind the HexHog. The HexHog was invented to provide equal opportunities for wheelchair users to safely access countryside terrain which was previously considered to be inaccessible.
The HexHog In Action
Sion Pierce teamed up with Da-Vinci Wheelchairs Ltd and it took five years of testing and development to bring the HexHog to the public. The HexHog off-road wheelchair is battery-powered and features six wheels. The vehicle has a range of 12 miles and can achieve a top speed of 8.5mph so here’s hoping you don’t come across any wildlife like bears or cougars.
The lithium-ion battery means there are no fumes and noise while the battery can charge in less than two hours. The vehicle also features a patented flexing chassis which provides stability that is superior to an ATV while a mechanism ensures that all six wheels maintain contact with the ground when going over rough terrain, rocks, and even steep steps. The sealed 6×6 transmission and raised drive motor also always the off-road wheelchair to tread water, go through mud bogs, and even cross snow/sand without compromising performance.
Thanks to its seat transfer system which adjusts the driving seat position, no help is required for a person in a wheelchair to transfer themselves into the seat of the HexHog. Seat movement is also kept to a minimum providing a comfortable ride, even in extreme environments.
The HexHog also has a programmable joystick so people of various ages can use the vehicle in a safe manner. Custom adjustments can also be programmed to suit all driving styles including safe operation for those with reduced dexterity and upper limb movement.
For more information, check out the HexHog website.
