Over the years, the development of Assisted Technology (AT) has significantly helped the disabled to travel and live more independently. There have been a lot of enhancements within the industry, especially in terms of wheelchair accessibility in vehicles.
Here, we’ll look at how these extraordinary technologies have been incorporated into vehicles.
In-car safety technology
There have been a lot of in-car safety features developed over the years. While not specifically designed to help disabled drivers and passengers, they do boast numerous advantages.
Hill assist has made it easier for those who lack strength, to easily make their way up steep hills, while lane change assist, blind spot detection and pedestrian detections technologies have also helped make driving safer for those with disabilities and impairments.
In-floor ramp technology
One of the main technologies incorporated into wheelchair accessible vehicles is in-floor ramp technology. You’ll find it’s one of the key technologies offered when you buy vehicles through specialist companies such as Allied Fleet.
A ramp is installed into the floor, allowing plenty of space for passengers in the back of the vehicle. They’re simple to use and the ramp allows wheelchair users to access the vehicle quickly and easily, hiding out of view when it’s not needed.
Lift systems have made it easier for those with disabilities to load their wheelchair into the vehicle. They are typically fitted into the boot of the car and are considered a more convenient option over a hoist system.
The wheelchair simply needs to be pushed into the lift, then it will automatically be lifted into the boot. These aren’t suitable for all vehicles due to the level of space required to use them. However, they have made it much easier for wheelchair users to store their wheelchair when not in use. The hoist systems are good, but they require the wheelchair to be folded and then manually lifted into the boot, something many wheelchair users are incapable of doing due to the strength involved.
Driverless cars – The future for disabled drivers?
There’s already a lot of impressive technologies incorporated into wheelchair accessible vehicles. However, work is currently being made to perfect the driverless car. Once they are ready to be introduced onto the main market, these cars will prove invaluable for disabled drivers. They won’t need many of the in-car safety systems currently available as they won’t actually need to drive the car themselves.
Overall, wheelchair accessible vehicles have come a long way and advancements are still being made to make travelling easier for disabled drivers. It’s also worth noting that all wheelchair accessible vehicles are typically designed for each individual user. This ensures it perfectly fits their needs.