Disability Talks: Don't Dis My Ability
Disability Talks: Don't Dis My Ability
Scewo- Everywhere you want to go!
Happy New Year listeners! This year we wanted to start the year off with some high-tech equipment. I sat down with Natalie Rotschi, Communications & PR Manager to find out about the Scewo Bro from Switzerland. This high-tech electric chair, ensures users will feel confident on all terrains and even a flight of stairs.
Website: https://www.scewo.com/en/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scewo_official/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vot0hG_9ybQ
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Welcome to DisAbility Talks, a podcast produced by Abilities in Motion. I'm your host. Shelly Houser. Join us for real conversations and no nonsense talk from everyday people with disabilities living their most independent everyday lives. Tune in for the latest news surrounding accessibility and independence. Where conversations aren't dissed and stories that need to be told, aren't missed. So let's talk.
Shelly:Happy New Year, everyone. Welcome back to DisAbility Talks. Today's guest is Natalie Rotschi from the wheelchair company Scewo. This high t ech, stylish chair wasn't just built to get you around. No, it will take you everywhere and anywhere you want to go. Join Natalie and I to learn how Scewo is built for true independence. Good afternoon, Natalie. How are you?
Natalie:I'm fine. Thank you very much for having me and giving me the chance to talk about our wheelchair
Shelly:So happy New Year. Um, so you're joining us from Switzerland today.
Natalie:Yes, exactly. We are based in Winterthur, so that's very close to Zurich and yeah, it's a cute little city.<laugh>
Shelly:Very nice. You're probably the furthest, uh, international guest that I have had to date. So thank you so very much.
Natalie:Fantastic.
Shelly:I want you to tell us more about your Scewo and how they work.
Natalie:Right. So our power wheelchair Scewo Bro, is the only one worldwide that is self-balancing and can climb stairs. So self-balancing, that means that you drive o n two wheels, but you don't h ave, have any force o f stability. It's kind of like the technology from Segway, maybe, you know that, but it's developed by ourselves. And Bro also has two tracks that are built to transport the user up and downstairs, but also to overcome obstacles such as curbs and while climbing the stairs, the s eat automatically balances itself. So you're always sitting upright. The b uilt i n technology also allows you to talk on eye level or take place at a bar or take something out of a high or low shelf in a supermarket. For example, this is possible thanks to the s eat l ift that we have built in and was originally built for transfers, b ut can also be used in, in many other ways, such as the ones I've mentioned before you steer t he, the wheelchair with a hand c hoice, s tick and choose different modes or adjust your i t v ia a touch p ad or the app that we have developed also for the wheelchair and something that I would also like t o a dd. And it's really important f or u s i s t he design of o ur power wheelchair because everything in our daily life is designed our shoes, our phones, even our toothbrushes. So when we developed the Bro, we a sk ourselves, why a re wheelchairs not designed? S o the e legant and functional design is t he unique in t he wheelchair market. And with paying attention to the appearance, we want to give back our wheelchair users, some confidence when they're driving with their Bros, but a lso t hink c hange the way of thinking about health a ids. So they can look very nice and be functional at the same time. S o that is possible.
Shelly:That's really nice because they they're really modern in their design. They're very sleek. Um, and I would think that they would, a wheelchair user would be very proud to use them because they are so sleek and modern looking how many steps can go up.
Natalie:That depends. I mean, as long as it has a battery, you can go up and downstairs as many as you want. So there's no restriction to the count.
Shelly:So when you're tilted front, because of the, the chair itself will auto, correct? Because of going up the pitch of the steps.
Natalie:Yeah. But you won't like, um, yeah, it's, it's a bit difficult to, to describe it's better seen on pictures. Yeah. Cause the, yeah, the seat is always, um, right. And it, it balances itself kind of when, when you're going, going out, because otherwise when you have, uh, steep stairs, you would be like, um,
Shelly:Pitched forward
Natalie:Mm-hmm<affirmative> yeah. And that wouldn't be comfortable<laugh> or you wouldn't wouldn't feel safe actually.
Shelly:So how do the, how do the track mechanisms, they just lower, you hit a button on the app or the pad and the tracks lower and raise up the regular seats? How does all that mechanism work?
Natalie:So you can choose the different modes such as driving mode or stair climbing mode on the app and then Bro will adjust everything. So if you want to climb stairs, you can just drive in f ront of the stair and then hit the button. And then, u m, Bro will lower t racks. Then he uses s ome sensors. So he recognizes the, the beginning a nd also a t the end of the stair. So all you have to do is just push back t he, t he, t he j oy s tick and it w ill do everything by itself. And when you, when you reach t he top of the stair, t here are some s upport wheels that will be driven out so that you have a smooth transition to the platform. And also we have a rear v iew camera. So that way you can see what what's behind you. And also if somebody i s, i s passing you, you can stop o n the stairs. Even if you can't like turn around, because you don't have the c ore a bility to do that. M m.
Shelly:Like a child runs behind you.
Natalie:Exactly. Exactly. So you always see what's behind you because some of some people don't have ability to turn around and see what's behind them. So we built in the rear view camera.
Shelly:Nice. That's a really high tech feature. How did you guys come to developing something? So high tech with so many great features,
Natalie:The idea was created as a student project and the, they actually just wanted to build a robot that is self balancing and can overcome some obstacles. Then their teacher said, why don't you build or why don't you put a seat on it so that it can transport somebody? And then we put a, a seat on it and that way, yeah, we created a wheelchair and now they're coming more and more features to it. And yeah, it's getting more and more intelligent and smarter and learns new stuff. And it's amazing.
Shelly:<laugh> are there upgrades on the app that they can just upload right to their, their Bro?
Natalie:Exactly. Um, we are sending, um, updates over the air, like kind of like a Tesla. You can just update your Bro via the app. And then that way we can add new features, um, or we can improve existing ones. And all our Bro drivers are all our customers that are out there are giving us some inputs or some wishes. For example, just recently they wanted a more stable parking position. So when they're recently, for example, they wanted a more stable, um, parking position. So when they're driving with a train or bus that they will stable, more stable. So we implemented that in our software and sent it to them via update and they could download that on to, uh, their wheelchair. And now they have the more stable parking position and it's really easy. Yeah. You just have to push like three buttons and then you have it.
Shelly:Do you ever try to implement something and, and have your current customers try it out and just to test it and see how a new feature or function would work and get feedback from them to improve it that way?
Natalie:Yeah. We, we always, um, take their feedback or implement something that we think would be helpful or would be cool. And then we send out the, the update and then they can go get back to us and tell us, oh, that total crap, we don't want that. Or we don't need that. Or they tell us, yeah, that's amazing. Or maybe you could do something like that, or that would be more helpful. And we also developed our wheelchair in, in kind of like a feedback loop yeah. With users, because it's really sad, but we don't really have the understanding for the needs of wheelchair users or we hadn't had these understandings. And so we needed that direct feedback. And so we could build a, a device that really helps them and they can really use in their everyday lives. So we always work really close with our customers together. And it's, it's really, really nice. We cuz they have so many ideas and are really motivated to, to improve our wheelchair. And it's really cool.
Shelly:They're, they're helping you to create a better product, which Is really great.
Natalie:Yeah, exactly. Exactly.
Shelly:Do dou have users worldwide using the Bro at this moment?
Natalie:Not worldwide. Only here in Switzerland. In Germany and in Austria, but we are thinking about expanding to other countries in Europe, firstly, and then hopefully, but uh, as soon as possible to America, we don't have any concrete plans at the moment.
Shelly:Okay. So how do, how do people find you if they wanna test this out? Do they have to come to Switzerland?
Natalie:When they are from Germany or Austria? We work with partners. So they yeah. A partner of us or, or we ourselves, um, come to them at home or yeah. Visit them at home or they can come to us or that's always possible. Or maybe we are at some fairs or events in their neighborhoods, so they can also visit us there. Nice
Shelly:Wheelchair users are often in their chairs for hours on end, you know, all day long. And so how comfortable is this and, and how do you improve it if it's, if it's not what they want.
Natalie:Um, we think that our wheelchair is very comfortable and we are also developing a special back cushion to make it even more comfortable. Uh, but it's also possible to mount various other cushions on the wheelchair so that each customer can choose one that suits his or her needs. And you can also make various adjustments, um, electronically or manually so that the wheelchair is, is optimally, um, adjusted to the user. So his leg length and stuff like that. So you can also add various add ons, such as a yeah. A other joy stick that is more comfortable for you and stuff like.
Shelly:So it's, it's customized just like a prosthetic limb or a walking cane where you add little bells and whistles to make it exactly what you need it to be.
Natalie:Exactly. So that we can, we can meet the needs of every individual user because yeah, everybody has other needs, some need a softer cushion, some need a hard cushion it's has to be more wider or smaller and stuff like that. And it's really important for us that it's possible also to mount other products that are from us, but also from our competitors, because it's sometimes it's easier just to add, uh, a different cushion or stuff.
Shelly:I think with that, we're gonna take a short commercial break.
AD:Abilities in Motion is a Pennsylvania based, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities live their lives on their own terms. Abilities in Motion strives to eliminate psychological stereotypes, physical barriers and outdated attitudes that prevent social and civic inclusion as well as promote the independent living movement to empower, educate, and advocate for individuals with disabilities. For more information about programs and services, Abilities in Motion provides call 610- 376- 0010 or visit our website at www.abilitiesinmotion.org.
Shelly:Welcome back listeners. We are here with Natalie from Scewo, the high tech, stylish chair that gets you everywhere and anywhere you want to go. So in talking about independence, we are a center for independent living here in the United States, and that is our mission and our goal. What kind of feedback have some of your wheelchair users given you as far as what independence it, the Scewo gives them.?
Natalie:Actually, we have gotten a lot of feedback about independence or especially flexibility to that. They got back cause with the different modes of our wheelchair, with the, with the wheels, with the tracks and everything, they don't have to check every step on their way because with Bro, there is always a possibility to get to the destination. Cause I mean, if there are, are some steps, just put on stair climbing mode, if the street is too steep, you can go up there with the track. If there is a forest path you can drive through with the, with the wheels, there's always a possibility to get there. And actually they are traveling around everywhere in the world. And one of our customers was recently in Italy and there was that catacombs that it was really old and historic and yeah, of course it wasn't, uh, able, yeah. Other wheelchairs weren't able to go down the stairs and it was like, yeah, that's not a problem. I can just drive down. And he was probably the first wheelchair user that was ever down in that catacombs and yeah, that feedback is just amazing and it encourages us every day in our work. And what we do.
Shelly:Have you tried it out, have you tried the Bro and ridden it round for the day?
Natalie:Yeah, of course. Yeah, of course we, we all use Bro like weekly or daily even so, and we always do that kind of, uh, um, short, um, um, how to say, um, no, a winter drive. So we test all the functions in yeah, the test. Yeah. Uh, we try out all the functions and also how it works in situations that we have in our everyday lives. So we go to restaurants or we drive with, uh, public transport and stuff like that. So we know exactly how it works in these situations.
Shelly:How often, or how long does it take a, a new user to get used to all the functions and feel secure going up, you know, a flight of steps, especially like in a sub, a subway or a tube situation that could be a little scary to go down backwards? Um, how long does it take them to adapt to this?
Natalie:That always depends on the user. Also, if somebody has, um, a lot of experience with, with power chair, power wheelchairs, the handling is already known and is therefore easier. And in, in order to make every, every one of our road drivers feel safe and comfortable, we always train them on our wheelchairs. So that training consists, um, an online theory test and also a practical part where we show and explain all the functions with the user and drive around with them and go up and downstairs with them and stuff like that. So they have experienced every function before they're on their selves. And we also, we have some explan explanatory videos on our YouTube channels, so they can go there and have a backup every time they, they about function. Or they're not sure how to use that. Um, and yeah, they, they can always contact us and we do a lot of video calls to show them how, how everything works and where they have to push and stuff like that
Shelly:And walk'em through it. So is what kind of people are using, is it just younger generations or is it a of people?
Natalie:Um, all kind of people. We have some Bro drivers that are just 15 years old, but we also have some that are over 60 years old and yeah, our wheelchair is something for everyone that is physically and cognitively able to drive a power wheelchair share with a hand twist. And our customers are people that want to be flexible and live a self-determined life with the possibility to go almost anywhere and do almost everything they want to independently. So it's kind, yeah. Kind of something for everybody.<laugh>,
Shelly:What's your favorite feature on the Bro?
Natalie:My favorite feature is actually the, the height adjustment. I think it's amazing when you go to, to like an opera and you can talk to others at eye level and they don't always talk down on you because I think that is something that is missing if you're in some kind of other wheelchair because you, yeah. You always been talked down to, and I think that gives you a lot of confidence if you're an eye level and yeah. I can have a drink at the bar, stuff like that. I think it's the small things. Yeah. It is
Shelly:It's a mazing. I t hink i t, i t directly cognitively impacts their self-esteem. Exactly.
Natalie:Yeah. I think so.
Shelly:You've tried that feature. Yeah,
Natalie:Of course. Of course
Shelly:A nd, a nd yeah. And you notice it makes a big, how tall can the chair go? How high up?
Natalie:Um, so the, the seat is at, um, 81 centimeters, then there is a, yeah. There is like your, your body height as well. And yeah, I don't, I don't know. So your, your eyes are at about one meter and, and 80 maybe seventies. So yeah, you're just like, uh, a taller person sometimes when you're really tall, you can actually talk down on other people that are not in the wheelchair. So that's amazing.<laugh>
Shelly:<laugh> well, that's a good twist of it.(laughter) Y eah. That's g ot boost your ego f or s ure.
Natalie:Exactly. That's that's just the point of it.<laugh>
Shelly:So besides your, uh, YouTube channel, where else can our listeners worldwide find out more about this technology and where to find you guys?
Natalie:They can find us, uh, well, on our website, they're all the informations and we are on Instagram, on Facebook and on LinkedIn and yeah, they can always contact us if they have any questions. We are always happy to help and explain,
Shelly:I believe there is a phone number on your website, correct?
Natalie:Exactly. And also email on, you can also contact us on, on Facebook or Instagram. We will always get back to you somehow.<laugh>
Shelly:Very good. Well, Natalie, I think that is it for our show today. Happy New Year. And thank you for being here.
Natalie:Thank you very much for having me and Happy New Year to you too. All the Best.
Shelly:Yes. Thank you. I hope to see Scewo Bro. On our streets in the United States this year in 22,
Natalie:We would love that<laugh>
Shelly:I know, right. And to our listeners, don't forget to hit that like and subscribe button. So you never miss an opportunity to listen to disability talks.
Outro:Thanks for tuning in to this episode of disability talks, wanna keep the conversation going? Then visit our website@abilitiesinmotion.org or connect with us on social media. And remember don't dis my ability.