The Wheelchair Car

[meadowlandsnj]

December 10, 2006
The Wheelchair Car
By ARIANNE COHEN
Most handicapped-accessible automobiles are designed for the general public and only later adapted for wheelchairs, resulting in awkward compromises, like the notoriously sluggish wheelchair lifts seen on public buses. But now there¢s the Kenguru, a snazzy mini-hatchback designed to give total independence to wheelchair users on the go.
The Kenguru¢s hatchback flips open so a wheelchair can roll right in and lock into place, which means the driver doesn¢t have to climb into a driver¢s seat. Because the steering column is a joystick, paraplegics and those with limited arm range can steer. The car is powered by a rechargeable battery and has a peak speed of 25 miles per hour.
The Kenguru was manufactured by Rehab Ltd., a Hungarian rehabilitative-services company. The designer, Zsolt Varga, is something of a solo-transport guru, having also created an electric scooter and an urban minicar. Crash tests for the Kenguru are slated for February in Germany, and the car will be available stateside in mid-2007 for approximately $14,500.

[Epoman]

December 10, 2006
The Wheelchair Car
By ARIANNE COHEN
Most handicapped-accessible automobiles are designed for the general public and only later adapted for wheelchairs, resulting in awkward compromises, like the notoriously sluggish wheelchair lifts seen on public buses. But now there¢s the Kenguru, a snazzy mini-hatchback designed to give total independence to wheelchair users on the go.
The Kenguru¢s hatchback flips open so a wheelchair can roll right in and lock into place, which means the driver doesn¢t have to climb into a driver¢s seat. Because the steering column is a joystick, paraplegics and those with limited arm range can steer. The car is powered by a rechargeable battery and has a peak speed of 25 miles per hour.
The Kenguru was manufactured by Rehab Ltd., a Hungarian rehabilitative-services company. The designer, Zsolt Varga, is something of a solo-transport guru, having also created an electric scooter and an urban minicar. Crash tests for the Kenguru are slated for February in Germany, and the car will be available stateside in mid-2007 for approximately $14,500.

Cool, any pics? I hope one day I can afford a minivan so I can just roll my wheelchair up to the steering wheel. but it is just a dream as they are so expensive.  I would have so much more freedom than I do now.

[Sara]

25 mph?  I guess it's a start, but you couldn't really leave the neighborhood and get on busy streets with that speed.   

Epoman, you never know what will happen.  With all your websites taking off, you may be raking in the big bucks this time next year. 

[jbeany]

Just ran across this on youtube - thought someone here might be interested. . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv_SfonG4w4

[Epoman]

Just ran across this on youtube - thought someone here might be interested. . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv_SfonG4w4

Thanks that was interesting however, I would not trust it with my bad bones. One fall over and I will be in traction. But I do like the inventors idea. 

[jbeany]

I was just checking out the designer's website - he's got an "amphibious wheelchair" pictured, but no link on it for details.  Wonder just how water capable it is?

[kitkatz]

To quote the last guy who tried the amphibious chair: "Glub!Glub!"