New Wheelchairs Incorporate iPhone

MEDIA RELEASE 19 NOVEMBER 2009

Drawing on its tradition of engineering excellence Dynamic Controls has integrated an iPhone with its power wheelchair electronics – thus enabling power wheelchair users to enjoy all the benefits of an iPhone or iPod touch.

The solution connects a user’s iPhone or iPod touch to the wheelchair system via Bluetooth® to display chair information in real time as well as speed in kph or mph and compass heading. A cradle is available to mount the iPhone or iPod touch onto the wheelchair.

CEO of Dynamic Controls, Charlotte Walshe says, “We recognised the iPhone has revolutionised the way people communicate and saw the opportunity to develop this solution for wheelchair users, taking full advantage of Apple's ‘Works with iPod / Made for iPhone’ developer program.”

Lee Kwok, a wheel chair user in Christchurch says it will be fantastic to be able to buy an off the shelf product that has so many features for powered wheelchair users. “Having access to mainstream technology via a wheelchair is a huge advantage," says Lee Kwok.

Other benefits include the incorporation of an on-chair charger for the iPhone and a ‘chair doctor’ wheelchair diagnostics feature that interprets any problems with the wheelchair.

Connectivity features include displaying the status of wheelchair, through to computer mouse control, IR and WiFi appliance control, on-chair connected devices as well as direct access to Dynamic Controls’ website with content of interest to wheelchair users.

Dynamic Controls unveiled its latest technology at REHACARE in Germany, the world's top trade fair for those with special needs and requiring care.

“We had overwhelming support from those who viewed it at REHACARE and we are confident that when it is launched in April 2010 we will exceed our initial expectations.

The new technology operates with an iPhone 3G, 3GS, iPod touch V2.0 and 3.0. It can easily be fitted to any new or existing Dynamic Controls DX2, DX or Shark wheelchair control systems without reprogramming the wheelchair.

About Dynamic Controls

Dynamic Controls is the world’s leading designer and marketer of electronic controls for powered wheelchairs and the company prides itself on creating products for the whole person. It is also one of the largest sub-contract manufacturers of electronic equipment in Australasia. For over 30 years it has been manufacturing products for some of New Zealand’s leading technology companies.

In 2006 Dynamic Controls was ranked sixteenth in the 2006 Technology Investment Network’s top 100 technology companies.

Dynamic Controls started life in 1972 as a small company specialising in the design and manufacture of speed controls for industrial forklift trucks and personnel carriers. 1981 saw controllers for powered wheelchairs added to the product portfolio and seven years later Dynamic Controls launched the ‘DM’ - the world's first powerchair controller based on the new microprocessor technology.

Internationally acknowledged as the first in a new generation of controllers, the DM's success firmly established Dynamic Controls as the world leader in the specialised niche market of controls for mobility products.

The spectacular growth that began with DM led to equally innovative new generations of power chair and mobility scooter controllers, as well as diversification into contract manufacturing of electronic assemblies in the medical and general electronics markets.

Since then Dynamic Controls has developed equally innovative new generations of power chair and mobility scooter controllers, as well as diversification into contract manufacturing of electronic assemblies in the medical and general electronics markets.

Dynamic Controls now employs 360 staff (180 in New Zealand) and has revenues of NZ$95M.

ENDS

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