GFYer who is in a wheelchair

Currently, the iBOT 3000 yields the wrong answer to all four questions. While it may serve as a pioneering product for later extension, its current prospects are bleak.



The iBOT?s price is more than 10 times higher than existing products. The iBOT is currently priced at $29,000. A state of the art powered wheelchair costs $2600. Insurance companies? existing policies will be a major barrier to purchase.


The iBOT?s value is not indisputably higher than conventional wheelchairs. One of the early testers of the product, Dr Rich Barbara, found himself yearning for his conventional wheelchair.


Given the iBOT for a 2 week trial in 2001, he told the New York Times:



?I was glad when my two weeks were up.?



The reason: while the iBOT can do things that conventional wheelchairs can?t, it also can?t do things that conventional wheelchairs can. For example: it can?t fit into a small car. It takes up more space when in use.



Switching costs are high. Users need training, and not all users of existing wheelchairs can use the iBOT. Since the iBOT requires the use of one hand to operate the chair by manipulating a joystick, in addition to judging what kind of terrain to avoid, doctors can prescribe it only to patients who pass a physical and cognitive test.


Current availability is limited. We can anticipate widespread availability, given J&J?s strong distribution systems, but not immediately. J&J is rolling it out in 20 clinics this year.