A Chair Fit for Dancing

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As a choreographer who often collaborates with dancers with disabilities, Merry Lynn Morris has long thought that traditional manual and power wheelchair designs were constraining. Her work in integrative dance, along with her experience growing up with a father who relied on a wheelchair, inspired her to invent a power wheelchair designed for artistic expression. Equipped with omnidirectional movement, a rotating seat, and a hands-free control, the chair enables dancers to explore new movement techniques, and may one day provide greater mobility in everyday life, too.

[@Ray-fd5te]

It's amazing how little wheelchairs have changed over the years. This is a great start to making a difference!

[@johnmendoza4257]

The human spirit cannot be imprisoned. Bravo Mrs Morris.

[@rayreineu]

This is amazing - thank you so much Ms. Morris for creating this! I do think it would be a good idea to have a manual joystick option that can be engaged if your phone dies or get stolen or something but overall this is such an improvement on the current wheelchair model.

[@naiyahp]

Omg this app type controlled powerchair for dancing is sooooo cool

[@djprogramer973]

Brilliant

[@wowdwestoxfordshirewheelch4424]

Omg. I teach wheelchair and inclusive dance. THis is amazing. I would love to know more about how to get hold of one of these.

[@charliedoom]

Reach out to Mary Lynn Morris at University of South Florida in Tampa!

[@reviewguru5387]

This made my day!! Thank you so much for this.

[@naiyahp]

I like how it’s app controlled or motion controlled

[@SuperMokkula]

This is pretty cool

[@Nikele1967]

Thank you" very wonderful. I hope for one eventually!

[@kathiewarren452]

You defy "can't". Polio as a child, I danced on a leg brace and a crutch, now at 70 in a power-chair, I try to dance with upper body movement. I try using the joy stick with my elbow to keep my hands free for movement. I need some kind of secure extension on the joy stick to give my arm more dexterity. Perhaps you could design something low cost.

[@naiyahp]

The person can wear the phone around their neck with the app for the chair on it and make it move I like it

[@Ollie9519]

I think the chair is amazing but looks costly. The idea of using leaning to move a wheel chair, could be amazing if it is done well then it would allow people in wheelchairs to be more independent, could allow them to open doors for themselves, this part should be subsidized by the government for development.

[@stevenshi289]

10 comments only?? Wow!! Im used to seeing like 1000's of comments and losing myself in the sea of comments...

[@naiyahp]

No one is controlling it

[@marcopieper7324]

Cool. Sci Fri Arts! Will this be a recurring format?

[@scifri]

Sure thing! th-cam.com/play/PLB2w1JNHV4HSiIj27Uvi3E8Fj1JmsPMlr.html

[@animex3183]

Cool project but the pedestrian thing seems hacking sensitive

[@vrediana]

Looks like a first wheelchair for people without proprioception in the world! So far there has been no wheelchair for us. We had to depend on others pushing aur chair.

[@sebastiancoiscou2633]

The Name of the piano Song at the beginning ?? Please

[@Waluigi_]

What happens when your phone dies?
Do you DIE? 😱😱😱
Or are you left alone in the abandoned streets at night?

[@trishpierce3954]

FaZe Beaver Toast the thing can move on its own. she said it moves in the direction the person leans OR you can control it through a mobile device

[@animex3183]

ITS NOT FUCKING FRIDAY. UNSUB!!!

[@CrazyRoadblockisbae]

Animex truuuu

[@scifri]

Science doesn't wait for Friday.

[@whatsunderthetable]

SciFri nice one

[@stephenkamenar]

the "dancing" is stupid and gay
cool chair though

[@bigass197]

silly AF pointless :)

[@pantsshitter533]

Can you do a breakdance with it?

[@scifri]

Check out the article - breakdancers have worked with it! www.sciencefriday.com/dancingchair