Hot Wheels Releases Wheelchair Remote-Controlled Toy That Epically Does Stunts
Image via Mattel
Who says the wheels in Hot Wheels are exclusive to cars? Mattel has taken a proactive role in encouraging inclusivity in toys. Besides introducing a representative range of Barbies and Kens, the company is quite literally spinning into the mobility business with a toy that casts the wheelchair as a vehicle, rather than a limitation.
The Hot Wheels Wheelie Chair is modeled after the likeness and custom wheelchair of Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham, a Paralympian and four-time Motocross World Champion, and comes complete with remote-controlled features to do its own stunts.
Image via Mattel
The toy includes a ‘wheelie boost’, enabling the inclusive Hot Wheels to spin, jump, and perform other tricks like full flips on the accompanying miniature ramp. It can reach a top speed of 6.2 mph.
Video via Mattel
Like Fotheringham’s own wheelchair, Hot Wheels’ first remote-controlled wheelchair toy is installed with a “self-righting feature” that boosts itself up after a fall, so that it wastes no time in moving on to the next stunt.
Fotheringham was born with spina bifida, a condition in which part of the spine isn’t closed all the way. As such, he has had to use a wheelchair full-time since the age of eight.
It was around this time when his brother encouraged him to drop into a ramp at a skate park, and after multiple tries, the wheelchair user succeeded at doing so. This sparked his obsession with the skate park, the athlete tells CNN.
Image via Mattel
Mattel describes that the hope with these wheels is to remind kids that they can overcome obstacles even if circumstances suggest otherwise.
“With this innovative R/C, kids learn that a wheelchair doesn’t have to limit awe-inspiring stunts so long as individual determination and desire are there,” says the toymaker.
The accessible Hot Wheels toy retails exclusively on Amazon for US$42.99.
