Device Comparison
TEK RMD vs. standing wheelchair vs. standing frame
Three very different machines get grouped under 'standing devices.' They solve different problems, fit different homes, and fund differently. Here is an honest comparison.
The three categories
Standing frames are stationary (or minimally mobile) supports: the user transfers in and is held upright, usually in one spot, often with caregiver assistance. They deliver the standing position, but not mobility.
Standing wheelchairsare power or manual wheelchairs with a stand-up mechanism built onto a wheelchair chassis. The user boards from the front like any wheelchair, and the chair’s full-size base comes with it everywhere.
The TEK RMD (Robotic Mobilization Device) takes a different approach: it is a compact motorized platform built around standing first. The user boards from the rear, an electric-assisted lift brings them upright, and they then drive — standing, hands free — with a joystick. A remote control lets the unoccupied device be called over or sent away, so it can be boarded directly from a bed or seat without a transfer into a wheelchair first.
Where the TEK RMD stands apart
- Footprint.With indoor wheels the TEK RMD measures roughly 16.5″ wide by 29.5″ long (manufacturer specification) — smaller than a standard wheelchair base. It is designed to work in kitchens, bathrooms, aisles, and offices that a full-size chassis cannot enter, often reducing the need for home renovation.
- Rear boarding + remote control.Because the device can be summoned by remote and boarded from behind, many users get in without a caregiver’s help. Front-boarding standing wheelchairs require a conventional transfer.
- Hands-free standing. The support system holds the user upright with arms free for the sink, the stove, a workbench, a handshake — at eye level.
- Foldaway seat. A transfer seat lets the user rest seated in the device and assists boarding, so standing time is up to the user.
Where a standing wheelchair or frame may fit better
The TEK RMD is not the answer for everyone. It has defined user criteria — body weight, height, upper-body function, and several medical screening factors (see who can use the TEK RMD). Users who need full-time seated mobility with occasional standing may be better served by a standing wheelchair; users whose clinician wants supported standing without independent driving may be well served by a frame. This is a clinical decision made with your physician or therapist.
Funding differs too
Standing wheelchairs and frames have long-established billing pathways. The TEK RMD received its own HCPCS code in 2024 and has been funded by the VA, workers’ compensation, and in some cases private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid — coverage always depends on the individual plan. We walk through the details in Is the TEK RMD covered by insurance?
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This guide is general information, not medical or insurance advice. Device suitability is determined by your physician, and insurance coverage is determined by your individual plan. Specifications referenced are published by Matia Mobility and may change.