A new wheelchair has been invented that is lightweight, waterproof, and does not require batteries. The PneuChair, created by the University of Pittsburgh Human Engineering Research Laboratories, debuted this month and is a promising product. While traditional power chairs cannot handle wet conditions and take hours to charge, PneuChair is completely waterproof and is charged in minutes using an air compressor. The PneuChair can travel three miles before needing to be recharged. Additionally, the PneuChair weighs only 80 pounds and can travel up to five miles per hour.

Although the PneuChair is not yet commercially available, it is currently assisting the patrons of Morgan's Wonder World, an accessible theme and splash park in San Antonio. Production is scheduled to begin by the end of the year. The designer sees a future for the PneuChair in stores, parks, airports, and nursing homes, and as a primary wheelchair for some users. After mass production, the designer believes the PneuChair could change the lives of many people with disabilities around the world.

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