On today’s episode of “so simple it’s brilliant” is the Firefly from US-based company Rio Mobility, an electric “handcycle” that snaps onto a wheelchair and replaces the need for the occupant to push themselves.

The benefit of this little invention is that it can turn any run-of-the-mill wheelchair into a pricier mobility scooter without the need to actually purchase one.

Not only that, Rio Mobility promises that the Firefly will chug along at a top speed of 19 kph, with enough torque to go up steep hills while being able to pull off 90-degree turns.

Now for the real test: price. The Firefly will set you back $1 950 (R29 111) plus $195 (R2 912) shipping to our little country.

While steep because of the exchange rate at the moment, there’s a non-electric version also available that works like an inverted bicycle. The person on the other end uses their arms to turn pedals which moves the handcycle and the wheelchair along. At $1 190 (R17 784) plus shipping this option is a bit cheaper.

We had a quick look at the local pricing of mobility scooters, and found them to be available for anything from R6 500 to R17 000. While these are complete units, they don’t offer the versatility of the comparatively lightweight Firefly, so there’s still a lot to like despite the Firefly’s price.

A final word on pricing is funding options if people find the list prices a little out of their reach. On a dedicated funding page it’s suggested that certain health insurance packages might cover the cost, and there’s even a suggestion to use crowdfunding.

Lastly, if all of those options fail, we’re sure those handy with a wrench and a soldering iron could create something similar for a fraction of the price. Regardless, while this may not be a new idea, it’s a very clever one we hope some people will get some use out of.

Now let’s hope this doesn’t get cancelled after the first season.

[Source / image – Rio Mobility