An inventor from Scotland has won £753,000 ($1 million) from winning a Toyota-run global Mobility Unlimited challenge.

Andrew Slorance, who is 51 and from Nairn, Scotland, won the award by designing a wheelchair that minimises the risk of a user falling over when leaning forwards or backwards. 

According to an article on BBC News, the Phoenix I smart-wheelchair habituates smart sensors that ascertain whether the user is making such movements. If these motions are performed, the Phoenix I then alters its centre of gravity accordingly, which prohibits the user from tipping.

This smart-wheelchair is comprised of carbon fibre and used a considerable amount of 3D printing to refine the final design.

Mr Slorance is a wheelchair user himself since injuring his back as a 14-year-old when falling from a tree. He spoke of how little the design of wheelchairs have evolved since those days.

“Since then, nothing has really happened in wheelchairs. They’ve made them smaller or more compact. But the technology hasn’t changed for nearly four decades”, he said.

“My experience, as a wheelchair user, has allowed me to solve a considerable problem.”

The money awarded to Mr Slorance will now help to fund the manufacturing of the Phoenix I.