watching the video of the presentation I was saddened by the fact that the CEO said that one of their most requested features is to create some sort of wheelchair replacement based on this tech, but it seems they aren't really working on it (around 16:30 in the video).
Given how hard it is for wheelchair users to navigate the world, it would have been amazing if this had been one of the first applications. I know friends of mine on wheelchairs would give a lot to be able to just go for a "walk" on a normal park trail or on the beach without having to worry about it being wheelchair accessible.
It is understandable that from several points of view the surveillance industry is a much easier target for this platform, not to mention that of course carrying a person-sized weight might be difficult also from a battery standpoint, however I wish that was more of a priority for the product.
An alternative maybe of interest to your friends? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBOT
"The iBOT has a number of features distinguishing it from most powered wheelchairs: By rotating its two sets of powered wheels about each other, the iBOT can "walk" up and down stairs, much like a cog railway or a rack and pinion with the two wheels as the "teeth" of the gear. The wheels can roll slightly at each step to compensate for a wide range of stair dimensions. When stair-climbing without assistance, the user requires a sturdy handrail and a strong grip. With an assistant, neither a handrail nor a strong grip is required. The iBOT is capable of tethered remote control operation, useful for loading the wheelchair up ramps into vehicles, or "parking" out of the way when not occupied. Custom software receives data via various sensors and gyroscopes, allowing the iBOT to maintain balance during certain maneuvers. For example, during curb climbing the seat remains level while parts of the chassis tilt to climb the curb. It allows the user to rise from a sitting level to approximately 6' tall, measured from the ground to the top of the head, and depending on the size of the occupant. It does this by raising one pair of wheels above the other to elevate the chassis, while a separate actuator raises the seat slightly more than usual. In this configuration the device is on two wheels, and the 'iBALANCE' software and gyroscope signals control the iBOT to maintain equilibrium, balancing much like the Segway scooter (which was a spin-off from the iBOT development). The user may also travel in this "standing" configuration. It can climb and descend curbs ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 inches, according to the manufacturer's specifications. The limits are determined by the rider's technique and risk tolerance. It is capable of traveling through many types of terrain, including sand, gravel, and water up to 3" deep."
Given how hard it is for wheelchair users to navigate the world, it would have been amazing if this had been one of the first applications. I know friends of mine on wheelchairs would give a lot to be able to just go for a "walk" on a normal park trail or on the beach without having to worry about it being wheelchair accessible.
It is understandable that from several points of view the surveillance industry is a much easier target for this platform, not to mention that of course carrying a person-sized weight might be difficult also from a battery standpoint, however I wish that was more of a priority for the product.