As the Alber SMOOV One Power Assist requires you to steer, it is suited to those who have full hand and arm function - if you have limited dexterity, then Alber's E-Motion powered wheels are more likely to be suitable instead. It is designed for those who are confident active wheelchair users, but who wish for a level of power assist for longer days out, or to avoid the strains and wear that extended self-propelling can cause to the body.
Just two discreet brackets are required to attach the SMOOV - one for the drive unit, and another for the compact hand control. These allow intuitive docking and undocking of both the drive and control units, and the drive unit weighs a mere 7.2 kg. The brackets are lightweight and discreet, and therefore don't interfere with your propelling or the looks of your chair when you use it without your SMOOV. The SMOOV can fit to most active rigid and folding chairs, with a growing list of hundreds of compatible wheelchairs from all the leading manufacturers.
With a range of 12.4 miles, your SMOOV one allows you to master everyday challenges such as kerbs and thresholds effortlessly, as well as hills, rougher ground and thick carpets where you might struggle to propel. The drive wheel swivels for dynamic driving, and allows you to traverse cambers without issue. The efficient, high performance drive unit can take people up to 140 kg, transporting you in a relaxed manner to your destination.
The ergonomic wireless control unit allows for intuitive driving, with a simple dial for increasing the speed, and just a tap required to stop. It connects seamlessly with the SMOOV Mobility App on your smartphone that allows you to access a whole range of additional functions and information on your SMOOV, as well as unlocking top speeds of 6 mph, accessible navigation information, and the AutoSpeed feature. The handy USB-C charging port allows you to charge your smartphone directly from your SMOOV - ideal for those always on the go.
Our Verdict
There's very little available like the SMOOV one - only the SmartDrive is similar, and we've found the SMOOV has a much smoother ride, although the SmartDrive is lighter and has a range of control options including a smart watch app. The Smoov is nonetheless well worth a test drive, because it's unlikely you'll have experienced anything like the SMOOV before - it's fun to drive, and stylish too.
