The age-old war between wheelchair and stairs has finally come to an end. We are not talking about the construction of ramps. That’s one way, but there is a better solution: a wheelchair with tank-like treads to climb stairs. The concept is not new. But what medical technology and healthcare equipment maker Togemo proposed with the XSTO X12 is a sleeker solution. A far cry from the research projects we saw 10 years ago. In fact, the XSTO X12 can do more than take on stairs; it is an off-roader too.
The XSTO X12 is both a four-wheel drive chair and a tracked vehicle, letting the user swap from wheels for everyday mobility to caterpillar-style treads when the terrain gets serious. Stairs are no longer an obstacle, with belt drive climbing technology and a 360° self-balancing seat keeping the rider stable.
Off-road capability is built in. Gravel, sand, snow, and even potholes are all fair game thanks to the independent four-wheel power system and robust chassis. Steering is handled through a simple joystick, while the AI system automatically switches modes, detects obstacles, and warns of potential drop-offs.
Comfort was not overlooked either. The chair features an ergonomic seat with adjustable armrests, memory settings, and even a “sway mode” for relaxation. Boarding and dismounting are made safer by the automatic posture stabilization system.
Power comes from a 24V 44.8Ah battery, good for up to 35 km (22 miles) of range. Charging takes about 8 hours. It can hit a top speed of 12 km/h (7.5 mph) and carry up to 136 kg (300 lbs) of user weight. The chair itself tips the scales at around 100 kg (220 lbs), depending on configuration.
Pricing for the Togemo XSTO X12 has not yet been announced. In the meantime, you can see it in action in the video below.
Images: Togemo [NO].