The simulation above tests Orbilift on a range of different stairs, from steep to mild gradients.

The test includes a safety factor, setting the contact-point of a wheel, a minimum 50mm from the edge of a step.

Orbilift automatically adapts to the different gradients. It does this by adjusting the pitch of its leg, in mid-air, prior to placement on a stair.

With its unique ability to climb different stairs and travel floor-to-floor, building-to-street and building-to-building, Orbilift networks all buildings, small and large.

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The video below contains historic footage of the first, motorised, Orbilift prototype. It climbed a stair the first time it was turned on. The date was 25th October 2020.

Orbilift stays fully balanced throughout its motion-cycle and the counter-rotating gear, that stabilises the seat, works well. It is proof of concept.

September 2024 Update

Following the success of the Orbilift prototype, we turned our attention to its drive-unit and steering system.

In January 2024, we filed an international patent for a new type of wheel. We named it the Bilastic™ wheel.

The Bilastic™ wheel is for use in differential-steering systems (i.e. steering effected by means of turning individual wheels, at different rates).

The wheel has segments that can move bi-directionally, then return elastically, to a central position. This reduces skidding, resulting in less floor abrasion and better energy efficiency. See video below.

Bilastic™ wheels are particularly suited to low speed, pedestrian environments. Applications may include: mobility scooters, power wheelchairs, motorised trolleys, or various robots, such as delivery robots, health-care robots, home-assistant robots and the like.

We have commenced engineering, for a full scale, multi-modal prototype, able to carry 130kg.

Multimodal means: transformable from rolling mode to climbing mode, with adjustable height and variable footprint.

On the TRL scale (NASA & EU Technology Readiness Level ranging from TRL1 to TRL9) the Orbilift is currently at TRL5.

Assistive technology is a synthesis of person + environment. The inventor of the Orbilift, Victor Young, deeply understands this relationship.

Victor is is an award-winning Australian architect, with experience in disability projects.

He studied at the University of Sydney, where he attained a double degree: Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Architecture, First Class Honours.

The video above shows him explaining one aspect of Orbilift - the unique gear-set that stabilises the seat-platform.
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In the video below, Victor speaks at the Assistive Tech Expo 2024, University of Sydney.

He explains Orbilift's use in aged-care. And beyond this, how stair climbing technology creates a network, linking all buildings, small and large.

This network can benefit everyone, with all sorts of new services, delivered via stair-climbing devices traversing the environment.

Better connectivity increases the utility and value of all buildings. It's good for the environment, the economy and people.

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END OF SECTION 2