Modern, advanced stairlifts have far surpassed the common notion of what a stairlift looks like and can achieve. When most people think of a stairlift they think of something like this – a static, outward facing chair which can only move in a single plane, on a straight rail.
But new, modern stairlifts are much more advanced than this today. Take a look at this model, for example (The Thyssen Flow X).
Some of the gadgets and gismos on this stairlift will make even Captain Kirk take a second look! This model can even connect to your phone, to call family in an emergency.
It folds down to just 380mm on any landing when not in use. The Flow X and the Flow 2 are both ergonomically designed to allow even the most difficult staircase to be navigated.
Advanced Stairlifts – Awkward Staircases
One of the main benefits to new, advanced stairlifts is their ability to navigate even the most difficult and awkward of staircases. A traditional stair lift would have struggled with narrow or winding staircases, for example. But advanced stairlifts have overcome a lot of problems.
Take a look at this narrow staircase for example – easily navigated by the Thyssen Flow 2 stairlift.
Modern Stairlifts – Curved, Winding Staircases
Modern, advanced stairlifts can also navigate corners with much more agility than stairlifts were capable of just a few years ago.
Even when stairlifts began to overcome the problem of a winding staircase, there was still a limit because of leg room. This makes it difficult to turn tight corners, for example. In the image below you can see the legs are tight against the wall, restricting movement.
But with this model, the chair can turn facing downwards to allow for greater movement.
Advanced stairlifts have overcome the outward facing chair problem with the ability to turn and pivot while ascending and descending.
Here you can also see the chair navigating a tight corner as well as a narrow staircase!
How Narrow Can You Go?
One of the most common questions of our customers is whether there’s a stairlift which can fit their narrow staircase. In most cases, the answer is yes! That’s only because of advanced stairlift development which has allowed them to overcome one of the biggest obstacles – an awkward staircase.
By using its patented auto swivel system, the Flow 2 curved stairlift can negotiate staircases as narrow as 61cm (24 inches) wide, auto swivelling the seat as it goes. The seat can be programmed and customised to move around obstacles according to the seating position.
Here’s a picture of a Thyssen stairlift being programmed to avoid the newel post and bannister rail on a staircase.
The Thyssen Homeglide Stairlift
Here’s another advanced stairlift model which solves the common problem of where to house the stairlift when it’s not in use. With the traditional stairlift, when not in use, it is commonly stored at the base or top of the staircase. But what if there’s a doorway there, or a corridor?
The traditional stairlift rail runs from the top to the very bottom of the staircase. But what if this causes an obstruction? The Thyssen Homeglide solves both these problems with a automated folding rail, which moves out of the way to clear the downstairs area.
Plus, the stairlift can be stored further up/down the rail, to avoid obstructing the corridor when it’s not in use. Using remote control devices which are placed at the top and bottom of the stairs, the user can call their stairlift when needed.
Advanced Stairlifts – Safety
The safety features on advanced stairlifts have also come a long way. Previously, stairlifts were run directly from the mains electricity, which presented some problems. In a power cut, the stairlift couldn’t be used! That might be a bog problem for some, especially if you’re half way up the staircase!
Modern advanced stairlifts use batteries now to avoid this issue. They are still connected to the mains but only for charging the battery, not for direct power. So in the event of a power cut, there’s still charge for several trips and you won’t be caught short!
Other modern day safety features have helped to overcome historic problems with stairlifts through the use of: seat belt, obstruction sensors, swivel seats, speed limiter, emergency stop button, emergency contact button, key lock, diagnostic display, constant energy efficient charging.