The Empulse F35 Power Assist by Sunrise Medical has been named a 2025 Mobility Management Product Award winner in the Mobility: Power-Assist Systems (For Manual Wheelchairs) — Front-Mounted category by Mobility Management.
The Mobility Management Product Awards program honors outstanding product development in Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) and accessibility. Parker Landry-Murphy, Product Manager: Power Assist North America at Sunrise Medical, sat down with Mobility Management to share more about the Empulse F35 Power Assist and thoughts on the future of the industry. To learn more about the Mobility Management Product Awards and view all of this year’s winners, visit https://mobilitymgmt.com/product-awards/.
MM: Tell us about the Empulse F35 Power Assist, including a few top features and benefits.
Landry-Murphy: Meet the Empulse F35 — a compact, lightweight power assist designed to bring freedom and flexibility to everyday mobility. Every push forward in a manual wheelchair takes effort, and over time, that strain adds up. The F35 changes that.
This ultra-portable micro pull-assist device offers a perfect balance of size, simplicity, and performance — delivering smooth, effortless mobility for short trips, daily errands, or travel. It’s quick to attach, easy to remove, and designed to fit most manual wheelchairs without changing their configuration or feel. The F35 gives users the power to move farther, faster, and with less fatigue.
MM: In designing this product, what were the top goals of the design team and engineers? What did they most seek to achieve?
Landry-Murphy: The goal was to create a compact, transportable power-assist device that promotes independence for the user. The design team focused on developing a lightweight and streamlined solution that any rider capable of independently handling their wheelchair could also operate on their own. With the F35, users can enjoy powered mobility without sacrificing the freedom and control of their manual chair.
MM: Who and/or what were the inspirations for your winning product’s functionality, features and design elements?
Landry-Murphy: The inspiration behind the F35 came directly from manual wheelchair riders in our community who were unsatisfied with the existing options on the market. They wanted a power-assist device that could keep up with their everyday lives — something lightweight, easy to bring along, and simple to use wherever the day takes them. The F35 was designed to meet that need, providing effortless mobility without compromising independence or practicality.
MM: Who benefits from your product? Can you offer a “typical” client profile, including diagnosis/presentation, indications/contraindications?
Landry-Murphy: The F35 is best suited for manual wheelchair riders who have good to moderate hand function and cognitive ability to operate the throttle and controls safely. It is designed for individuals who can independently maneuver their wheelchair, but experience fatigue, pain or endurance limitations when traveling longer distances or navigating inclines.
A typical F35 user may include individuals with spinal cord injuries or other mobility impairments that limit endurance, but preserve upper-extremity control. The F35 provides an extra boost of independence for everyday mobility without replacing manual propulsion.
MM: Does your winning product offer adjustability or customizability for the different needs of different clients?
Landry-Murphy: Yes. The F35’s mounting hardware is customized to each wheelchair based on its frame dimensions to ensure an optimal fit and performance. This allows the device to maintain stability, proper alignment and smooth operation across a wide range of wheelchair types and configurations.
In addition, the F35 offers multiple drive profiles and adjustable power levels, allowing users to tailor the driving experience to their comfort level and environment — whether navigating busy urban settings, smooth indoor surfaces or mild outdoor terrain. These adjustments give users the flexibility to balance performance, speed and control to match their individual needs and preferences.
MM: How does your winning product optimize independence, function, safety, confidence, success with everyday goals, etc., for its consumers?
Landry-Murphy: The F35 empowers users to travel farther and more comfortably while maintaining full control of their manual wheelchair. Its lightweight design and easy docking system promote independence and confidence, while adjustable drive modes ensure safe, efficient performance across daily environments.
MM: What funding options are available for this product?
Landry-Murphy: The F35 is currently available as a retail product, but there’s good news on the funding horizon. It has been submitted for coverage consideration under HCPCS code E0986 (Power-Assist System). In September 2025, the DME MACs broadened the description for this code from “push-rim activated power-assist system” to simply “power-assist system.” This important update may open the door for the F35 to qualify for reimbursement in the future.
MM: What makes a product or service a Mobility Management Product Award winner? What advice do you have for future entrants?
Landry-Murphy: A winning product focuses first and foremost on the individual’s real-world needs — prioritizing independence, function and quality of life over specs alone. Design with empathy. Build for the person, not just the diagnosis.
