Toyota and Segway inventor team up on stair-climbing wheelchair

Toyota Motor North America said Saturday it will work with DEKA Research and Development -- the company founded by Segway inventor Dean Kamen -- to help launch the next-generation iBOT motorized wheelchairs that are designed to navigate stairs and lift users to stand face-to-face with companions. For its part, Toyota will license balancing technologies held by DEKA and its affiliate for medical rehabilitative therapy and potentially other purposes. The companies said they continue to engage in ongoing discussions about how Toyota can further support DEKA and its mobility assistance technology. DEKA stopped selling the iBOT specialized wheelchair in 2009 but its next generation is poised for a comeback due in part to Toyota's involvement, Kamen said. Financial details were not immediately available.