The ongoing effort to improve the wheelchair isn¡¯t just about electricity and advanced technology.

TESS Co.¡¯s Cogy wheelchair, designed for people who have trouble walking but can still move their legs, is pedal-powered, says the firm¡¯s representative director, Kenji Suzuki.

¡°You can start pedaling smoothly as soon as you sit down,¡± he said, adding that many users would rather move with their own strength rather than depend on an electric wheelchair, but do not realize such technology exists.