Extreme Motus at the Utah State Capitol: UAMMI & Aerospace Day Recap
Quick answer
In January 2024 Extreme Motus shared exhibit space with UAMMI (Utah Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Initiative) at Utah’s Aerospace and Defense Day on the Hill at the State Capitol. Our all-terrain wheelchair looked a little out of place next to aerospace exhibits — until you remember it’s manufactured here in Utah using the same advanced materials and manufacturing partnerships that power the rest of UAMMI’s member companies.
Extreme Motus at the Utah State Capitol
Utah’s enchanting landscapes invite explorers of every ability to wander its vast terrain — but for visitors with mobility challenges, that invitation can feel tethered by accessibility limits. We’re working to change that, one trail and one chair at a time.
Extreme Motus was excited to be invited to Utah Aerospace and Defense Day on the Hill on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Sam Durst joined us in his Motus to demonstrate the chair to legislators and industry partners walking through the capitol rotunda.
Why an all-terrain wheelchair was at an aerospace event
The Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair looked a little out of place at first glance — most of the booths around us were aerospace and defense exhibits. But the connection runs deeper than it looks: the same Utah-based advanced manufacturing ecosystem that builds rocket components and aerospace alloys also builds our chair.
About UAMMI
Extreme Motus shared table space with UAMMI — the Utah Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Initiative. Being a UAMMI member has been a quiet but huge part of how we’ve matured as a company. Our partnerships with other Utah manufacturers have driven R&D improvements on the Motus and connected us with new vendors who supply specialized parts.
The synergy between aerospace-grade manufacturing and accessibility products isn’t a stretch — both demand light weight, high strength, durability across temperature extremes, and ruthless quality control. Many of the same techniques that make a satellite component reliable in orbit make our wheelchair reliable on a snowy mountain trail.
Highlighting accessibility at the Capitol
The bigger reason we showed up was the conversation. Most of the legislators and industry leaders walking through hadn’t seen an all-terrain wheelchair in person before. Watching Sam roll across the marble floor and answer questions about where he’s taken the chair (Bryce Canyon, Goblin Valley, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, lakes, snow trails) opened a lot of doors that a static brochure never could.
We talked about Utah’s leadership opportunity in accessible state and national park tourism — the state has more potential adaptive-tourism destinations per capita than just about anywhere else in the country, and most state and federal parks here haven’t yet added all-terrain chairs to their visitor services. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
(Yes, I only took one photo at this whole event. Feel free to shame me next time you see me.)
→ Where the Motus already lives.
Since this Capitol visit, we’ve helped 59 parks, zoos, and adaptive sports programs across the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK put a Motus on their property. See the full interactive location map → — and if your state or park isn’t on it yet, that’s the case we’re still making.
What’s next
Days like this one are how new partnerships get built — both with manufacturing partners and with the state agencies and parks that should be the next wave of all-terrain chair hosts. If you work in Utah state government, in tourism, or in adaptive recreation and want to talk about getting an Extreme Motus into your park or visitor center, reach out.
#AccessibleUtah #InclusiveTourismUtah #AllTerrainWheelchair
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Extreme Motus manufactured?
In Utah, with parts and assembly support from a network of UAMMI-member manufacturers and vendors across the state.
What is UAMMI?
The Utah Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Initiative — a nonprofit that connects Utah’s advanced manufacturing companies, drives R&D collaborations, and represents the industry at events like Aerospace and Defense Day.
Can the Extreme Motus be used in or around government buildings?
Yes. The chair handles smooth interior floors, ramps, and exterior gravel and grass without modification. It’s regularly used at events, conferences, and indoor demonstrations.
How can a Utah park or government agency get an Extreme Motus?
Contact us through the website. We work directly with parks, zoos, and tourism agencies to set up rental or loan programs, and can connect you with grant resources where applicable. Our interactive map shows where peer programs already exist.
Why aerospace manufacturing techniques for a wheelchair?
Both demand light weight, high strength, durability across temperature extremes, and tight quality control. The same supplier ecosystem that delivers reliable aerospace parts delivers a reliable all-terrain chair.
Since 2019, Sam and Ryan have been demonstrating that nature is wheelchair accessible with the Extreme Motus All Terrain Wheelchair. From National Parks to Skateparks, their adventures prove that a manual off-road wheelchair can offer laughter and joy while navigating diverse terrains.
Join us as we continue to share these inspiring journeys.
Light, comfortable, and compact, the Extreme Motus glides over sand, rocks, grass, gravel, and even floats in water.
It’s more than a outdoor wheelchair; it’s your ticket to freedom. Embrace the outdoors with confidence, knowing our off-road wheelchair is engineered for durability and ease of use.
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