Reuters reports on an Israeli company, Softwheel, that has developed a technology that allows wheelchairs and bicycles to travel more comfortably over bumps and down stairs:
Softwheel says its 'symmetrical selective in-wheel suspension' system is designed to absorb the impact of obstacles in the road, and could be adapted to suit any vehicle with wheels.
The wheel's hub shifts automatically when encountering an obstruction, allowing it absorb the energy from that obstacle. For those on wheelchairs and riding bicycles, the technology makes it far easier to travel around bumpy city streets and deal with curbs and steps.