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==We're Back!==
Sorry there's not much here yet.  Somehow the old site crashed ''hard'', and I wasn't able to recover the data.  Then, when I did re-create the site, spam-bots took over and posted several hundred pages within a couple days, forcing me to wipe the site again.  I have locked the site down this time, so if you would like edit permissions, please contact me at WHIM -AT- MHORTONMEDIA -DOT- COM.

I'll be updating, editing, prettifying and cleaning this as time and energy permit.  Thank you for visiting, and please come back frequently to see what we're doing!

=Welcome to WHIM Unlimited=
WHIM Unlimited has a goal to create a power wheelchair which can be '''built''', '''customized''', and '''repaired''' using '''local resources''', ''with a minimum of customized parts''.  

That means, if something breaks, you won't need to 
*Schedule an appointment with the repair shop (1-3 weeks)
*Schedule a van ride to the shop
*Wait in the shop while they analyze the problem (several hours, with no access to your chair)
*Go back home while they order the part (days, weeks, even months)
*Schedule another appointment with the repair shop and the van once the part comes in (another 1-3 weeks)
*Wait in the shop again while they fix the problem (several more hours sitting in your waiting room, still without access to your chair)
*And finally head back home with a working chair

In our experience, this can take up to 2 months or more, depending on the issue.  It can be worse if there are no local wheelchair repair shops.

==What We're Doing==
WHIM Unlimited is researching potential power wheelchair designs using common components found in your local hardware, bicycle, and automotive parts store.  These will be designed so that the finished product can be built by anyone with some [[wikipedia:DIY|DIY]] experience - if you can use a wrench and a screwdriver, you should be able to build and maintain one of these chairs.

We're working with local engineers and other experts to find some potential answers.  We realize that there is not going to be one answer for everyone, however we feel that we can help make the choices easier.  We have already identified some components which may need to be customized (particularly the motor-wheel interface), but are working to keep these to a minimum, and are planning to provide plans for these so that they can be manufactured at a local facility.

For more information, see our [[About WHIM]] page.  Or check out the original [[Request for Assistance]] email, sent in November, 2011.

=The Design Concepts=
We've broken the chair down to its component pieces, examined how they relate to each other, and what we'd like to be able to do.

*[[Wheels]] - More Rolling than Rocking
*[[Motors]] - Moving Forward (or Backward)
*[[Frame]] - Something to Build on
*[[Controllers]] - Keeping Control
*[[Batteries and Chargers]] - Power to the People!
*[[Brakes]] - So You Don't Get Broken
*[[Seating]] - Fits One Comfortably
*[[Lighting]] - We Have a Vision!
*[[Accessories]] - You Have to Know How to Accessorize