You don’t have to know a word Swedish to understand that 86-year old [Lasse Thörn] is the coolaste modernaste pensionären in Gränna. All you have to do is see him rolling on his walker-assisted hoverboard and you’ve got the whole story.
Still, not knowing any Swedish and the spotty nature of Google translations makes it hard to discern the details of this build. Did [Lasse] build the folding aluminum bracket that connects the battery-powered hoverboard to his walker himself? We guess that he did, since another story says that he built a pedal boat back in the 1950s because he thought it sounded cool. He also says that he gets a lot of attention when he’s out on his contraption, and that other seniors have asked him to build one. [Lasse] says he’s too old to start a business; we don’t think he’s giving himself enough credit, but if he’s willing to leave the field of affordable personal mobility open to the rest of us, we say go for it.
We’ve seen lots of hoverboard builds lately, and lots of hate in the comments about the use of that term. Seems like the false advertising vibe grates on folks, but face it: “rolling wheelie board” is kind of awkward, and until technology catches up with the laws of physics, it’s the best we’re going to do.
Thanks to [Karl Hagström] for the tip and going the extra mile to find video of [Lasse].
he tells, that he made the bracket himself, after he found out that it wasn’t safe when the two were seperate :-)
He names the invention the granny-board :-)
Actually he calls it the “Gränna-rullator”, or Gränna-walker, Gränna is a Swedish town (where the inventor apparently lives) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gr%C3%A4nna ;)
Interestingly the Dutch and Germans also call walkers ‘rollators’ and the Fins call it ‘Rollaattori’ too.
An that is the ‘correct’ name since the inventor of the walker was a Swedish guy who had polio-related walking issues. So you have to wonder why the Americans/English went with walker or walking-frame.
As far as I can tell rollators are the name for this style of walker with 4 large wheels and a seat or basket; even in the US. At least they were all labeled that way when i bought one for my grandmother.
Because the american walkers have no wheels or only have wheels on two legs, whereas the rollator has four wheels.
The walker was invented first, so it became the generic name.
Makes sense, thanks for the information, the more you learn eh.
He didn’t say so much about the fabrication, more than that he realized that it must be connected to the walker.
He did say, as a response to the reporter’s comment that he rode so slow, that if he goes over 20km/h the front wheels starts to wobble.
There are rules for electrical vehicles without pedals in Sweden.
One class says that the top speed must be 20km/h, and A: must have under 250Watts of power, OR B: must be self balancing.
Then there is a class for electrical wheelchairs and the likes, for people with disabilities, top speed: 20km/h, no power restrictions.
And finally pure toys, top speed of 6km/h, did not find anything about max power.
I guess he could qualify into the wheelchair class, cool old man anyhow. :D
This is code for “This will go a lot faster than 20 kph but I’ll not admit that I violated the rules”.
That’s 100% correct. :D
Many people at a certain age stop caring about a lot of silly little rules.
At that speed he better walk, it would be faster.
“maybe” he brought this walker because he need it ?
Energy and pain/mobility is also an issue, I’d guess. The hoverboard/walker at least would give you a range boost.
Age and sickness can slow us, not stop us…
Well uhm, yes it can stop us, but never mind that I get what you were going for.
I think this could actually work for elderly people. A bit of polishing on the design perhaps. There is plenty of room for a bigger battery for example. Maybe add some safety features too. Like blocking it from going backwards or spinning, and make it accelerate real slow. Overall I think Lasses idea is great.
Bra jobbat Lasse!
Yea, it’s a great idea, and could be made in China cheap enough for people to afford, while giving you a nice bit of profit, remember the baby boomers are over retiring now.
Would be quite a good idea to have the platform and motor attached to the walker. The only problem is that you don’t want to discourage exercise as people’s health fails more rapidly if they don’t at least do a little exercise.
Now that’s a good point.
Well, at least they are standing up. It is better than a wheel chair.
If they have better range, they might be encourage to go out farther for longer periods thus standing up/staying active for longer periods.
Say “hoverboard” again. Say “hoverboard” again, I dare you, I double dare you motherfucker, say “hoverboard” one more Goddamn time!
Hoverboard!
Flypanel, Floatplank, Suspendstrip.
:p
The reason they used “senior” is because this is specifically for people who are old enough that they have limited mobility. It’s not meant to be an insult or to be diminutive at all, I think.
How about the youngsters. This a a great idea. My son is 25 and he is disabled and loves this idea. Where can we get one? Anyone know?