Many of us are old enough to remember the days when turntables were how we listened to our music. That was before mp3 players, cd players, cassette decks – even eight track and reel to reel. Those of us that are technically inclined were familiar with the two basic types of record players - Direct Drive and Belt Drive. Direct drive systems had an electric motor that directly spun the platter through gears. In belt drive systems, the motor was connected to the platter by means of a belt. Direct drive systems were and are still considered preferable for DJ use because of their quicker start up and spin down times.

Both of these technologies made their way into power wheelchairs. However, most power chairs sold today are direct drive. The advantages of direct drive are many. There are fewer moving parts and are therefore more reliable. There are no belts that need to be replaced which eventually wear out and start slipping and breaking. Belts can also slip when they get wet. In direct drive chairs, control is much more precise and starting and stopping is not as sluggish.

One problem with direct drive systems is a loss of flexibility. Unlike a belt which can move around while maintaining contact, the gears in a direct drive system must maintain direct contact at all times. This can pose a problem over uneven terrain where wheels cannot flex independently. Some power wheelchairs solve this problem by having independent suspension for each wheel, and even separate motors.