A motorized wheelchair, powerchair, electric wheelchair or electric-powered wheelchair (EPW) is a wheelchair that is propelled by means of an electric motor rather than manual power. Motorized wheelchairs are useful for those unable to propel a manual wheelchair or who may need to use a wheelchair for distances or over terrain which would be fatiguing in a manual wheelchair. They may also be used not just by people with 'traditional' mobility impairments, but also by people with cardiovascular and fatigue-based conditions.
A front-wheel-drive chair with a "captain's chair" seat
Harding electrically propelled invalid chair (1930s)
George Klein and others with his Klein Drive Chair 1953
Former US President Bill Clinton, Dean Kamen and the iBot
A wheelchair is a mobilized form of chair using 2 or more wheels, a footrest and armrest usually cushioned. It is used when walking is difficult or impossible to do due to illnesses, injury, disabilities, or age related health conditions.
A wheelchair on the street
Depiction of Chinese philosopher Confucius in a wheelchair, dating to c. 1680.
Nicolas Grollier de Servière (1596–1689) Wheelchair in his Cabinet of curiosities
Amputee in a 19th-century wheelchair
