Nairn couple revolutionise future of wheelchairs
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TWO Nairn-based entrepreneurs are preparing to launch a revolutionary new wheelchair at a major mobility exhibition in London.
Andrew and Mary Slorance of I-Imagine have developed ‘Carbon Black’ — a stylish, custom-designed carbon fibre wheelchair, which will be launched on Wednesday.
Mr Slorance, managing director of the firm, has been a wheelchair user for 28 years after a spinal injury at the age of 14 and has used his first-hand experience to help implement his concepts and designs.
"For many years I have thought the wheelchair could be so much better and so much more stylish," he said.
"Three years ago I began the process of re-designing the wheelchair as we know it. I wanted Carbon Black to solve many of the problems I have faced with my conventional chairs over the years.
"Re-designing the wheelchair so it became a piece of stunning technology rather than a piece of medical equipment was just part of my aim with Carbon Black. I want to empower its user with increased confidence from a chair that is cutting edge, yet minimal in its appearance — more person, less chair.
"A wide range of improvements to the usability of the wheelchair as we know it will offer a better quality of life to the user. The revolutionary frame shape brings access benefits, while the full carbon construction is extremely lightweight with optimum strength, huge weight saving and maximum energy efficiency is achieved through the monocoque design.
"This is just the beginning, we have a whole range of ground breaking products in development."
He described the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) — which awarded £49,700 towards the work — as invaluable.
The carbon fibre construction is built by F1 engineers, bringing cutting edge technology to the product. Mr Slorance’s successful career in television production helped attracted partners including motorsport company Prodrive and BBC Scotland has made a documentary on the couple’s quest to revolutionise the wheelchair.
"We embarked upon this project because we could see there was a real need to improve the wheelchair for active independent users worldwide," said Mrs Slorance.
Scotland has approximately 96,000 wheelchair users with around 20,000 new users annually across the UK. Carbon Black is aimed at the active independent user and in particular those who have suffered a spinal cord injury.
"Andrew has led this project from the outset and his designs are completely different to anything that is currently available at the moment," said Caroline MacLellan, Development Manager at HIE.
"The design solves problems Andrew himself has experienced. For example, using a wheelchair in the dark is very precarious and holding a torch and pushing a wheelchair is impractical. Andrew has installed forward illuminating LED lights into the frame of the chair so the user can have light whenever they need it. This is one of a number of simple yet effective solutions Andrew and Mary have included.
"We have no doubts that these innovative designs will revolutionise the international wheelchair market."
For more information on I-Imagine Ltd and Carbon Black, visit: www.iimaginedesign.com or email: info@iimaginedesign.com
