english: I started looking at wheelchairs in developing countries in 2005, when I spent the summer assessing the state of technology in Tanzania, and I talked to wheelchair users, wheelchair manufacturers, disability groups, and what stood out to me is that there wasn't a device available that was designed for rural areas, that could go fast and efficiently on many types of terrain.
non_english: Ik bestudeerde in 2005 rolstoelen  in ontwikkelingslanden, toen ik in de zomer in Tanzania bezig was  met de stand van de techniek te evalueren. Ik sprak er met rolstoelgebruikers,  rolstoelfabrikanten en gehandicaptenorganisaties. Ik had al snel door dat geen enkele rolstoel ontworpen was voor het platteland,  eentje die snel en efficiënt bewoog over allerlei terrein.