5 ms·

Is "personal transportation" a new euphemism for "wheelchair"? I've never heard that before.

by nsxwolf 11y ago

zyxley 11y ago
If it's not (legally) a wheelchair, it doesn't need FDA approval, and from what I understand FDA approval is an extremely expensive process (as in, "increase unit price by hundreds of thousands of dollars" expensive).
- ljk 11y ago
  So in the end this is a good move? People who need wheelchairs can get them for cheaper, like how gluten-intolerant people get a lot more choices now that gluten-free options are getting so popular
  - aroch 11y ago
    Except probably not covered by your insurance if it isn't certified
  - avian 11y ago
    Probably not a good example. I've heard that gluten-intolerant people can no longer trust a label "gluten free" these days. It is now used as a marketing device for healthy people and not meaning that it is safe for those with the medical condition.
    - ljk 11y ago
      Didn't know this was happening, sad but not surprised though..
      - necessity 11y ago
        You still don't, unless "some stranger in the internet said he heard someone say" is your knowledge of the situation.
- harryjo 11y ago
  > (as in, "increase unit price by hundreds of thousands of dollars" expensive). that's clearly false. maybe "hundreds OR thousands of dollars.
pbhjpbhj 11y ago
It's a sit on Segway, seems it would fit the same niche too? From what I've seen of Segway's that niche is kinda "novelty solo recreational vehicle". One thing here is speed. UK Highway Code says "Powered wheelchairs and scooters MUST NOT travel faster than 4 mph (6 km/h) on pavements or in pedestrian areas." [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-users-of-powered-wheelchairs-and-mobility-scooters-36-to-46 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-users... - "must not" IIRC means it's illegal with reference to UK legislation].
- djrogers 11y ago
  > MUST NOT travel faster than 4 mph (6 km/h) on pavements or in pedestrian areas. Yeah, just like your car MUST NOT travel faster than the posted speed limit. Nothing says it can't be capable of doing so in other areas though.
  - pbhjpbhj 11y ago
    Slightly different, under Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1988/2268/made http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1988/2268/made, S 10(1)(a) a class 3 vehicle - those with a speed limit above 4mph (which are allowed to go 8mph on roads) - must have "a device which is capable of limiting the maximum speed of the invalid carriage to 4 miles per hour". They are also required to have an indicator, which they must by the same law be able to see when using the vehicle, which shows if the limiter is in operation. It seems a bit harder to sell than speeding a few mph above the limit in a car; but in either case those that want to flout the law are able to, you are right.

Is "personal transportation" a new euphemism for "wheelchair"? I've never heard that before.

by nsxwolf 11y ago

Is "personal transportation" a new euphemism for "wheelchair"? I've never heard that before.

If it's not (legally) a wheelchair, it doesn't need FDA approval, and from what I understand FDA approval is an extremely expensive process (as in, "increase unit price by hundreds of thousands of dollars" expensive).

ljk 11y ago
So in the end this is a good move? People who need wheelchairs can get them for cheaper, like how gluten-intolerant people get a lot more choices now that gluten-free options are getting so popular
- aroch 11y ago
  Except probably not covered by your insurance if it isn't certified
- avian 11y ago
  Probably not a good example. I've heard that gluten-intolerant people can no longer trust a label "gluten free" these days. It is now used as a marketing device for healthy people and not meaning that it is safe for those with the medical condition.
  - ljk 11y ago
    Didn't know this was happening, sad but not surprised though..
    - necessity 11y ago
      You still don't, unless "some stranger in the internet said he heard someone say" is your knowledge of the situation.
harryjo 11y ago
> (as in, "increase unit price by hundreds of thousands of dollars" expensive). that's clearly false. maybe "hundreds OR thousands of dollars.

pbhjpbhj 11y ago

It's a sit on Segway, seems it would fit the same niche too? From what I've seen of Segway's that niche is kinda "novelty solo recreational vehicle". One thing here is speed. UK Highway Code says "Powered wheelchairs and scooters MUST NOT travel faster than 4 mph (6 km/h) on pavements or in pedestrian areas." [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-users-of-powered-wheelchairs-and-mobility-scooters-36-to-46 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-users... - "must not" IIRC means it's illegal with reference to UK legislation].

djrogers 11y ago
> MUST NOT travel faster than 4 mph (6 km/h) on pavements or in pedestrian areas. Yeah, just like your car MUST NOT travel faster than the posted speed limit. Nothing says it can't be capable of doing so in other areas though.
- pbhjpbhj 11y ago
  Slightly different, under Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1988/2268/made http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1988/2268/made, S 10(1)(a) a class 3 vehicle - those with a speed limit above 4mph (which are allowed to go 8mph on roads) - must have "a device which is capable of limiting the maximum speed of the invalid carriage to 4 miles per hour". They are also required to have an indicator, which they must by the same law be able to see when using the vehicle, which shows if the limiter is in operation. It seems a bit harder to sell than speeding a few mph above the limit in a car; but in either case those that want to flout the law are able to, you are right.