The Empulse M90 Power Assist Wheels by Sunrise Medical has been named a 2025 Mobility Management Product Award winner in the Power-Assist Systems: In-Hub 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 M90 Power Assist Wheels solution and their 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 M90 Power Assist Wheels, including its top features and benefits.
Landry-Murphy: Seamless power integration starts with the Empulse M90 wheel add-on — designed for your manual wheelchair and your life. The M90 provides power assist with no bulk, wires or extra components. Keep your preferred tires and handrims and drive your wheelchair with or without power through a simple, removable all-way toggle. By far the lightest wheel-drive power assist device in its class, the M90 adds sleek, stylish power to your lifestyle without weighing you down.
MM: In designing this product, what were the top priorities of your design team and engineers?
Landry-Murphy: The primary goal was to develop a lightweight, modern power-assist device that meets the performance and aesthetic expectations of today’s riders. The team focused on delivering intuitive control, sleek design, and everyday functionality — all in a compact and transportable package.
MM: Who and/or what were the inspirations for your winning product’s functionality, features and design elements?
Landry-Murphy: The inspiration came from observing how other industries are rapidly adopting new technologies to improve user experience. We wanted to bring that same innovation to the mobility space — delivering a product that not only performs exceptionally, but also looks modern and stylish. Our goal was to create something riders would be proud to show off, seamlessly blending advanced technology with everyday usability.
MM: Who benefits from your product? Can you offer a “typical” client profile?
Landry-Murphy: The M90 is designed for manual chair riders who have not found success with other power assist solutions. It’s particularly beneficial for users with limited hand strength, dexterity or core stability — commonly seen in individuals with quadriplegia or similar presentations. However, its intuitive controls and flexibility have made it suitable for a wide range of diagnoses.
The M90 supports both one-handed operation and quick transitions between powered drive and manual freewheel, making it ideal for users with fluctuating or asymmetrical abilities.
MM: Does your winning product offer adjustability or customizability for the different needs of different clients?
Landry-Murphy: Yes, the M90 is designed with both adjustability and customization in mind to meet the diverse needs of its users. Riders can use almost any 24″ tab mount handrim and tire combination to best match their individual propulsion style, hand function and terrain preferences. Additionally, the M90 offers selectable drive profiles that allow for tailored performance — adjusting speed, responsiveness and control settings to provide a personalized driving experience that evolves with the user’s needs.
MM: How does your winning product optimize independence, function, safety, confidence, success with everyday goals, etc., for its consumers?
Landry-Murphy: The M90 empowers users by combining intuitive controls, advanced technology and thoughtful design to maximize independence and daily functionality. Its lightweight, wireless design and easy transportability make it ideal for users who want to maintain an active lifestyle without sacrificing accessibility or control.
By offering multiple drive modes — including speed controller with handrim steering and all-way toggle operation — the M90 accommodates varying abilities and preferences, allowing users to navigate a wide range of environments with ease. The motor-assisted propulsion reduces strain on the shoulders and upper body, enabling users to go farther with less fatigue, which supports long-term joint health and comfort.
The product’s safety features — such as controlled braking through motor resistance and drive profiles tailored to the user — enhance confidence and stability, especially in tight or unpredictable spaces. Whether used by the rider or a caregiver, the M90 promotes freedom of movement and supports users in achieving everyday goals — from navigating the home to accessing community spaces — more independently and efficiently.
MM: What funding options are available for this product?
Landry-Murphy: It is funded by the E0986 Power Assist HCPCS code.
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.
