A stairlift 5 includes a rail 6, carriage 10, a drive facility 11, which may comprise a motor and gearbox and control means 15 to control the drive facility. The stairlift also has communication interface 19 configured to communicate with an external communications facility 30, such as a smartphone, which may use a wired (36 fig.2) or non-wired connection such as Bluetooth 37. In the absence of a connection between the communications interface and the external communications facility the drive is disabled. If a sensor fails to detect a user seated on the stairlift this may result in Bluetooth communication being disabled. The communication facility 30 may include an application programme to enable stairlift functions. The external communications facility may also be a virtual assistant (38 fig. 4). Stairlift faults may be detected and communicated to a remote location 32, 33, 34 and an electronic command may be issued to a door entry mechanism 40 following detection of a fault.
展开▼
