Built for Everyday Use
At just 7.5 kg without battery, the R90 is a lightweight power add-on for folding and rigid wheelchairs. The 2.5 Ah lithium-ion battery powers your wheelchair for up to 9.3 miles and is flight-compliant for travel abroad. The optional 5 Ah battery provides an extended range of 19.5 miles for users who want to travel longer distances at a time.
The patented V-lock secures your R90 to your wheelchair and allows the Empulse R90 to be hooked and removed in seconds. From shops and pavements to parks and paths, it powers through varying terrains and has a climbing ability of up to 6 degrees. The R90 automatically detects slopes to maintain your speed by speeding up or slowing down. It also reduces your speed when turning corners, ensuring your ride remains comfortable and smooth.
Smart Control, Seamless Experience
The Empulse R90 can travel to an adjustable top speed of 5.5 mph and offers cruise control for longer rides and slopes. With its wireless and clutter-free control box, controlling the R90 is refreshingly intuitive. While the LCD provides information on speed, distance, and battery life, users can access more of their R90 with the Sunrise Intelligence App. With the app, you can configure indoor and outdoor user profiles, raise and lower the R90, and view charging history and historical driving data directly from your smartphone.
To ensure a smooth ride, the Empulse R90 is built with an innovative suspension to absorb bumps and vibrations. Its airless rubber tyre is built for durability and is easy to maintain.
Innovative features centring around user experience
The Empulse R90 is brilliantly designed to retain the responsiveness of your manual wheelchair while providing powered support to reduce fatigue. By positioning the R90 directly under your seat and aligned with your rear wheels, the R90 preserves your wheelchair’s turning circle and climbs obstacles in sync with the rear wheels.
When you do not require powered assistance, the R90 can be easily raised from the ground with the Intelligence App or the wireless control box. When the R90 is raised, it provides zero resistance while remaining secured to your wheelchair, removing the need to take the R90 off.
Our Verdict
The Empulse R90 offers impressive performance with lightweight and innovative features. While some alternatives may offer slightly greater speed or user capacity, the R90 excels in its handling and user experience. The R90 is excellent for those prioritising convenience, as it’s a fantastic all-around choice whether you’re new to powered add-ons or upgrading from a bulkier system.
The Sussuro Yomper+ power add-on is a more economical option and is more lightweight compared to the Empulse R90. Weighing only 5.8 kg, the Sussuro is compact but supports up to 150 kg, while the R90 weighs 7.5 kg and supports up to 125 kg. However, the R90 does stand out with its wireless control box and the Intelligence App. While remaining attached to your wheelchair, the R90 can be raised or lowered depending on your needs; the feature is innovatively unique and offers a convenient experience. If you have a lower budget, prefer a more portable solution or require a greater weight capacity, the Yomper+ is a more ideal option. However, if you have a higher budget, the unique features in the Empulse R90 will add to your user experience.
Uniquely, the Permobil SmartDrive MX2+ power add-on allows users to connect to an Apple Watch or a Samsung Galaxy watch. Connecting to your watch allows you to control the SmartDrive, configure settings and track your distance or battery life. Similar to the Empulse R90, the SmartDrive has a PushTracker App, which allows you to control your assistive device through your smartphone. The SmartDrive does stand out with its OmniWheel feature, which allows you to manoeuvre from any position. Weighing only 5.7 kg, the SmartDrive is lighter compared to the R90. However, the R90 is more cost-effective and offers its own set of unique features. It is advisable to try different products to determine what features fit into your lifestyle best.
The Alber SMOOV One power assist is a similar power add-on designed to prevent fatigue during self-propulsion and offer a hands-free driving experience. Speeding up to 6.2 mph, the SMOOV offers a faster speed compared to the Empulse R90. The SMOOV is also slightly more cost-effective and supports up to 140 kg. Both the SMOOV One and the Empulse R90 have a dedicated smartphone app and a wireless controller to add to your convenience. However, the SMOOV’s is positioned at the rear of your wheelchair when fitted, leading to less control and more bumps compared to the R90, which is positioned in alignment with the wheels.
Overall, the Empulse R90 is a high-performing power assist with innovative features to add to your lifestyle and user experience. Its lightweight, compact and bulk-free design makes it a convenient solution when travelling.
