Raising wheelchair users' quality of life

BERGAMO, Italy - After nearly 20 years working with wheelchair-bound youngsters, Mario Vigentini wanted to revolutionize their quality of life, inventing a device that raises up users so they are face-to-face with those standing.

The Italian drew inspiration from the Segway - the two-wheeled, self-balancing, electric vehicle that allows visitors to nip around cities without walking - and came up with the "MarioWay", a hands-free, two-wheeled kneeling chair.

With its high seat, it allows users to do everything from ordering a coffee at a bar to plucking a book off a high shelf.