PneuChair: Waterproof Wheelchair Powered by Compressed Air

Author: University of Pittsburgh
Published: 7 Apr 2017 - Updated: 8 Nov 2026
Publication Type: Product Release, Update

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This product is the PneuChair, a waterproof powered wheelchair that runs on compressed air instead of batteries, developed at the University of Pittsburgh Human Engineering Research Laboratories, a joint program of Pitt, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and UPMC. It was unveiled in 2017 at Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio, Texas, a theme park built for people with disabilities, where 10 chairs were made available at the Morgan's Inspiration Island splash park. Ordinary power wheelchairs cannot go into water, so a chair that can be driven through fountains, pools and beaches opens up water play and recreation for children and adults who need powered mobility.*

At a Glance

• 1 - The chair weighs about 80 pounds.
• 2 - One full tank gives a range of about three miles.
• 3 - Its simple design means many replacement parts can be bought at a local hardware store.
• 4 - Refilling the air tank takes about 10 minutes, compared with about eight hours to charge an electric chair.

Topic Definition

Pneumatic Wheelchair

A pneumatic wheelchair is a powered wheelchair that uses compressed air stored in a tank, rather than electric batteries, to drive its motors. Because it has few electronic parts it can be made waterproof, lighter and quicker to recharge than an electric chair, though the range on one tank is usually shorter.

Overview

A new waterproof motorized wheelchair that runs entirely on compressed air was unveiled in April 2017 at Morgan's Wonderland, a 25-acre theme park in San Antonio, Texas.

The park was built specifically for individuals with disabilities, and 10 of these chairs will be available to patrons at the venue's new splash park, Morgan's Inspiration Island, which opened in 2017.

Designed, developed and constructed at the University of Pittsburgh Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), the patent-pending PneuChair uses high-pressured air as an energy source instead of heavy batteries and electronics.

The chair weighs about 80 pounds overall and takes just 10 minutes to recharge, compared to eight hours to charge an electric mobility device.

HERL, which is a joint effort between Pitt, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and UPMC, was already working on a prototype of the PneuChair when it heard from representatives from Sports Outdoor and Recreation (SOAR), a nonprofit organization established by The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation of San Antonio to oversee Morgan's Wonderland.

They asked HERL for help in developing powered mobility for the new splash park.

"Their needs and our research were essentially an ideal match," says Rory Cooper, HERL director and distinguished professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at Pitt.

"The potential to open opportunities for people with disabilities who need powered mobility to access splash parks, water parks, beaches or pools is transformative."

Brandon Daveler is a Pitt graduate student researcher and the lead mechanical design engineer on the project.

"The PneuChair uses a simpler design without a lot of electronics and software," he says. "If something goes wrong, any of the components can be purchased at your local hardware store."

The maximum distance on one fully charged tank is around three miles, about a third of the distance an electric chair can travel before it needs to be recharged.

Pitt and SOAR are looking to establish a long-term licensing agreement wherein the PneuChair could be used in a variety of markets, personal care homes, shopping venues, grocery stores or airports.

More on this topic: Wheelchair Types Publications - Electric Wheelchair Publications - Mobility Aids Publications

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Can regular power wheelchairs get wet?

Power wheelchairs can handle light rain, but their batteries, motors and controllers can be damaged if driven into water or left out in heavy rain.

What is Morgan's Wonderland?

Morgan's Wonderland is a fully accessible theme park in San Antonio, Texas, opened in 2010 and built so that people of all abilities can play together.

What options exist for wheelchair users at the beach?

Many beaches lend free beach wheelchairs with wide balloon tires, and some have mobility mats that make a firm path across the sand.

Is the PneuChair available to buy?

In 2017 the PneuChair was a research prototype, and the University of Pittsburgh was seeking licensing partners, so it was not sold to the public at that time.

What is HERL?

The Human Engineering Research Laboratories is a research center run by the University of Pittsburgh, the VA and UPMC that develops and tests wheelchairs and other assistive technology.

Who is Rory Cooper?

Rory Cooper is a wheelchair user, Paralympic medalist and distinguished professor at the University of Pittsburgh who has led HERL and many wheelchair design advances.

Are pool lifts required at public pools?

Under the 2010 ADA Standards, most public pools and spas in the U.S. must have at least one accessible means of entry, such as a pool lift or sloped entry.

How is a compressed air wheelchair refilled?

The tank is refilled from an air compressor, which takes about 10 minutes for the PneuChair, far quicker than charging batteries.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Most power wheelchairs rely on sealed electronics and heavy batteries that are easily damaged by water, which has long kept powered wheelchair users out of splash pads, pools and the sea unless they transfer to a manual beach or pool chair. Compressed air drive offers a lighter, simpler option for wet places, although its shorter range makes it better suited to parks, resorts and other sites where tanks can be refilled. The project, led by HERL director Rory Cooper, also showed how research labs and disability-focused venues can work together to solve practical access problems.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally issued as a press release by University of Pittsburgh and published on 7 Apr 2017. Last updated on 8 Nov 2026. This content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.