Phoenix Instinct
| Industry | Medical Devices |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Nairn |
Key people | Andrew Slorance |
| Products | Phoenix i Hybrid |
| Website | phoenixinstinct |
Phoenix Instinct is a UK-based assistive technology company founded by Scottish designer Andrew Slorance. The company developed the Phoenix I, the world’s first “smart” manual wheelchair that uses artificial intelligence to adjust its centre of gravity for greater safety, comfort, and mobility.
Background
[edit]Phoenix Instinct was established in Forres, Moray, Scotland, in 2015 by Andrew Slorance following his departure from Carbon Black, a previous wheelchair design venture he founded. Slorance, who has used a wheelchair since a spinal injury at the age of 14, launched the new company with the mission of radically improving wheelchair technology, which he argued had remained largely unchanged since the 1980s.[1]
The company’s initial product was a custom luggage solution for wheelchair users, but it gained global attention after entering the Toyota Mobility Unlimited Challenge, a $1 million competition seeking technological innovations for individuals with lower-limb paralysis.[2]
Toyota Mobility Unlimited Challenge
[edit]In 2017, Phoenix Instinct was selected as one of five finalists in the Toyota Mobility Unlimited Challenge, a competition run by the Toyota Mobility Foundation in partnership with Nesta’s Challenge Prize Centre. Each finalist received $500,000 in development funding to create a working prototype.[3]
Phoenix Instinct’s entry, known as the Phoenix i, was an ultra-lightweight carbon fibre wheelchair that automatically adjusts its centre of gravity in response to the user’s movement, significantly reducing the risk of tipping and improving manoeuvrability. The chair also features electronic braking systems to assist on slopes and reduce user strain.[3][4]
In December 2020, Phoenix Instinct was announced as the overall winner of the competition, receiving a $1 million (£753,000) prize. The award was presented by Sir Philip Craven, former president of the International Paralympic Committee and a member of Toyota’s board[2].
Design and technology
[edit]The Phoenix I combines smart sensors, AI-driven centre-of-gravity adjustment, and a power-assist system that minimises vibration and enhances stability. Unlike conventional wheelchairs, the Phoenix I actively responds to user movements, keeping the axle in an optimal position for both agility and safety.[5][4]
The chair is made from lightweight carbon fibre, weighing around 5 kg, and incorporates extensive 3D-printing in its design and prototyping stages. It is intended to retail between £4,000 and £5,000, which is competitive considering its technological capabilities[6].
The intelligent centre of gravity system addresses a major source of injury among wheelchair users, especially related to tipping and uneven terrain. The chair also includes automatic braking, adjusting downhill speed to avoid requiring the user to grip wheels for control, an issue long noted in traditional designs[3].
Clinical support and trials
[edit]Phoenix Instinct collaborated with clinicians at the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, a globally recognised centre for spinal rehabilitation. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists at the NSIC helped refine the wheelchair’s design and functionality during prototype testing.[7]
Funding and future development
[edit]In addition to the Toyota prize, Phoenix Instinct secured financial support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, receiving a £79,500 grant in 2023 to assist in transitioning to full-scale advanced manufacturing. The move is expected to create new jobs in Moray and significantly boost the company’s turnover through both domestic and international sales.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Nairn-based wheelchair inventor starts new venture". BBC News. 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ a b "UK designer's wheelchair innovation wins $1m Toyota prize". BBC News. 2020-12-17. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ a b c "Disability News Service". Disability News Service. 2025-07-03. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ a b Demaitre, Eugene (2020-12-17). "Phoenix Instinct wins $1M prize in Toyota Mobility Unlimited Challenge". The Robot Report. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "Phoenix Instinct creates smart wheelchair with "intelligent centre of gravity"". Dezeen. 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ a b Banks, Alex (2023-09-12). "Highland man left paralysed aged 14 now on course to 'revolutionise' wheelchair industry". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ York, Millie (2024-01-31). "Stoke Mandeville Hospital supports The Mobility Unlimited Challenge finalists wheelchair design - THIIS Magazine". Retrieved 2025-07-06.