The Ogo: A 21st Century Mobility Scooter, but with a Hefty Price Tag
(Courtesy of Ogo Technology)
About a year ago, I first learned about something called an Ogo. It was just in the development phase then, but it was the neatest thing I’d ever seen for getting around when your legs can’t do the job. You don’t need to use your arms, either. Just bend in the direction that you want to travel, like riding on a Segway, and off you go.
The Ogo is the brainchild of Kevin Halsall and Marcus Thompson. Kevin is a product design engineer and Marcus is a paraplegic. Several years ago, Kevin began trying to develop a device that would increase Marcus’ mobility. With help from Marcus, a prototype was produced. Three major design changes followed.
The Ogo is ready to roll
Now, after a lot of tweaking, the Ogo production line is ready to roll late this summer. The Ogo looks great. It seems as if it could be really useful to any of us who use a scooter to get around, and it sure looks like a whole lot of fun. But it comes with a hefty price tag of just under $17,000. (And that’s without including the cost of shipping from New Zealand, customs fees and, possibly, import tariffs and sales taxes.)
I haven’t tried it myself, and I’m not getting anything from the Ogo folks for writing about their device, but I do want to show it to you.
Take a look:
Here are some specs for the Ogo:
- Length with footrest up: 770 mm / 30.3 inches
- Height with backrest on: 1 m / 39.4 inches
- Height with backrest off: 610 mm / 24 inches
- Width: 630 mm / 25.2 inches. All terrain kit: 830 mm / 32.7 inches
- Battery x 2: Lithium Ion
- Battery x 2 weight: 11kg / 24 lbs
- Travel distance: Up to 38 km / 24.8 miles on a single charge.
- Weight: 65 kg / 143 lbs
- Speed: 20 kph / 12 mph
If you think the Ogo is for you, and you have $17,000+ that you can spare, ordering information is at their website.
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Comments
Ken weidenaar
The ogo is a very exciting piece of equipment for people like myself who have ms. I currently have a Segway but this may be better. Hope the price comes down to be affordable.
Ed Tobias
Me too, Ken!
Ed
Astrid
We too have Segway and would switch but the price tag is way too high
Tony King
Stunning piece of design but at that price there aren't going to be many takers, especially not here in NZ!
Sait Mentes
Not as much as innovative, of course there are huge functionalities interpreted efficiently but simple things are forgot. There are no side bars to support arms and hands and for the disabled this is a bit painful. Ergonomically, there shall be soft support bars for arms.
Ellyn
Will insurance cover any of it?
Ed Tobias
I suppose it depends on your insurance, but I seriously doubt it. As far as I know, most insurance policies don't even cover a regular electric scooter unless the patient can prove that it's needed to move around inside his or her house.
Ellyn Camp
Way too expensive for a person who is unable to work and does not have a rich family. It would have to be covered by medical insurance.
Helen Contreras
Hello! Would this chair be ideal for a 12 year old boy who has Collagen VI muscular dystrophy?
Thank you kindly for your response.
Helen Contreras
Ed Tobias
Hi Helen,
I don't know anything about MD and I certainly don't know the abilities of your son. I included a link in my column to the Ogo website (though they may have changed their company name). I'd suggest you ask them your question.
Please let me know if the link no longer works and I'll try to get the latest contact info for you.
Ed
Peter Psaila
Is there an goo agent in the uk
Ed Tobias
Hi Peter,
Since I wrote this five years ago they have changed their name from Ogo Omeo. The Omeo website says they have a UK agent. You should be able to get more info from that site: www.omeotechnology.com.
Ed