Christopher Olsen
Encyclopedia
Christopher Jon Olsen is the creator of the Universal wheelchair
, the first all-terrain, omnidirectional, stair climbing wheelchair. He is also the co-founder of NuEra Mobility Inc.
Christopher started designing the wheelchair in his senior year of high school
for an independent study science research class through the University at Albany. The idea for his project came from his mother, a nurse who cares for a patient with multiple sclerosis
who'd played wheelchair tennis
until she lost additional functionality. Christopher began working on a device to help her regain her athletic ability when he began to recognize the numerous everyday obstacles people in wheelchairs face. As a result he decided to design a wheelchair that could function on all terrain.
His design criteria included: omni directional movement; the ability to climb curbs and other obstacles up to eight inches high; the ability to travel along natural paths and rough terrain; 4-wheel drive; and the ability to adjust the center of gravity, seat height and width. He began with preliminary sketches of wheel designs and found a hubless wheel would allow off-set pivot points for added extension of the arms. Each wheel has a small drive motor like those used in robots that are connected to liner actuators that allow sufficient extension to climb steps.
After designing the wheelchair, Christopher entered and won the 2006 Tri-Region Science and Engineering Fair. This allowed him to compete in the 2006 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
in Indianapolis. While at the Intel ISEF, Christopher won the $10,000 inaugural USPatent.com Award from Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, McNett & Henry LLP based in Indianapolis. This award was created "to recognize and applaud young persons’ efforts in developing innovative solutions that benefit our world."
Christopher then appeared on Fox & Friends
with his wheelchair. Shortly after, Christopher also appeared on a television show, representing the United States, on the Science Channel Japan. He also appeared in Gizmag as a finalist in the 2006 Intel ISEF competition.
Currently, Christopher is an undergraduate student at Binghamton University
where he is continuing to refine the wheelchair that he recently received a US and foreign patent for. His company, NuEra Mobility, Inc. will start production of the product shortly.
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
, the first all-terrain, omnidirectional, stair climbing wheelchair. He is also the co-founder of NuEra Mobility Inc.
Christopher started designing the wheelchair in his senior year of high school
Valley Central High School
Valley Central High School is located in Montgomery, New York.It educates students in grades 9-12 in the Valley Central School District, which includes much of the town of Montgomery, portions of neighboring Wallkill and Newburgh and the three villages of Maybrook, Montgomery and Walden as well as...
for an independent study science research class through the University at Albany. The idea for his project came from his mother, a nurse who cares for a patient with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
who'd played wheelchair tennis
Wheelchair Tennis
Wheelchair tennis is one of the forms of tennis adapted for those who have disabilities in their lower bodies. The size of courts, balls, and rackets are same, but there are two major differences from pedestrian tennis; they use specially designed wheelchairs and the ball may bounce up to two times...
until she lost additional functionality. Christopher began working on a device to help her regain her athletic ability when he began to recognize the numerous everyday obstacles people in wheelchairs face. As a result he decided to design a wheelchair that could function on all terrain.
His design criteria included: omni directional movement; the ability to climb curbs and other obstacles up to eight inches high; the ability to travel along natural paths and rough terrain; 4-wheel drive; and the ability to adjust the center of gravity, seat height and width. He began with preliminary sketches of wheel designs and found a hubless wheel would allow off-set pivot points for added extension of the arms. Each wheel has a small drive motor like those used in robots that are connected to liner actuators that allow sufficient extension to climb steps.
After designing the wheelchair, Christopher entered and won the 2006 Tri-Region Science and Engineering Fair. This allowed him to compete in the 2006 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is the largest pre-college scientific research event in the world, and is owned and administered by the Society for Science & the Public a 501 non-profit organization based in Washington, DC...
in Indianapolis. While at the Intel ISEF, Christopher won the $10,000 inaugural USPatent.com Award from Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, McNett & Henry LLP based in Indianapolis. This award was created "to recognize and applaud young persons’ efforts in developing innovative solutions that benefit our world."
Christopher then appeared on Fox & Friends
Fox & Friends
Fox & Friends is an American morning television show on the Fox News Channel.-History:The show begins at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time with the latest Fox News Live headlines and analyzes the news of the morning...
with his wheelchair. Shortly after, Christopher also appeared on a television show, representing the United States, on the Science Channel Japan. He also appeared in Gizmag as a finalist in the 2006 Intel ISEF competition.
Currently, Christopher is an undergraduate student at Binghamton University
Binghamton University
Binghamton University, also formally called State University of New York at Binghamton, , is a public research university in the State of New York. The University is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York system...
where he is continuing to refine the wheelchair that he recently received a US and foreign patent for. His company, NuEra Mobility, Inc. will start production of the product shortly.