Pushin' On: UAB Spinal Cord Injury Model System Digital Newsletter Volume 34 | Number 1 | Page 4

TECHNOLOGY WATCH
WHILL (Update)
Pushin’ On introduced you to WHILL back in 2013. At
that time, it was a power wheelchair prototype with a
futuristic design. It offered a four-wheel drive to traverse
most terrains, with omni-wheels in front that let them roll
forward, back and side-to-side without pivoting. A pair
of raised telescoping arms provided a set of controls to
steer and drive the wheelchair. The arms also flipped
out of the way to make transferring easier. The seat and
footplates slid forward and back for improved access.
A lot has happened since that early look at the WHILL
in development. The biggest news is that the latest Model
has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. This means that the WHILL can now
be prescribed by physicians as a medical device and
covered by insurance. The new model includes several
new features, including joystick attachment options, arm
supports, pressure relief handles, and adjustable back
support, that are necessary in medical devices. No power
tilt or recline, though.
The other big news is the WHILL is featured in the
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie. Check it
out, and learn more about the WHILL on the website.
http://whill.us/

“Alexa, Make My Smart Home Smarter.”
Pushin’ On has featured a lot of app-based
technologies that can be useful in controlling your
environment. However, app-based products usually
require physical effort to use the app on your smartphone
or tablet. There are few true “hands-free” controls, and
they are usually costly.
Amazon is quickly changing things with Echo. Echo
is the tech giant’s affordable answer to true hands-free
connected smart home. Once everything is setup using
the Alexa app, you start controlling things with a simple
command, “Alexa...”
• Allows hands-free convenience with voice-control
• Controls lights, switches, and thermostats
with compatible WeMo, Philips Hue, Samsung
SmartThings, Wink, Insteon, Nest, and ecobee smart
home devices
• Plays music from Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora,
iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more using just your voice
• Hears you from across the room with far-field voice
recognition, even with background noise or while
music is playing
• Answers questions, reads audiobooks and the
news, reports traffic and weather, gives info on local
businesses, provides sports scores and schedules,
and more using the Alexa Voice Service
• Always getting smarter and adding new features and

4

uab.edu/sci

skills--over
100 added
since
launch,
including
Domino’s
TV control
is now limited
to FireTV,
but Amazon
is clearly
expanding
Echo’s
growing list
of “skills” and
partnerships.
Considering Amazon’s history, the future of Alexa looks
bright.
The top of the line Echo is currently priced at $180.
The two new devices are more affordable. The smaller,
portable Tap is $130, but you do have to touch or “tap”
the device to activate the voice commands. The Dot is
$90. The Dot works the same as the higher priced Echo,
but it connects via Bluetooth to a home speakers instead
of a using a built-in speaker.
You can learn more at www.amazon.com/echo