The Idea
Millions of people with disabilities need smart and affordable solutions to their mobility needs.
The idea of an accessible "EVette" would accommodate the wheelchair-user driver, having assistive devices and aids already integrated into the same vehicle design. This would eliminate the need for the expensive after market conversion process which a large number of people have to do.
The EVette is the best starting platform to give freedom and independence to drivers with physical disabilities because of these key characteristics:
- Joystick control, drive-by-wire steering and braking.
- ZTR (zero-turn radius) maneuverability.
- Fully customizable configuration (user can add more mi. or hp).
This concept gives the wheelchair-user driver easy access entering and exiting the vehicle because of the turnable driver seat. The driver's seat would turn and come out of the car to allow the transfer from the wheelchair. This car has no steering wheel in the way, so the seat can move more forward than in a normal car, having enough space to store a folded wheelchair rear of the turnable driver seat with the help of a dedicated robot.