New driving system allows paraplegics to drive manual-shift

Mischief007 · July 13th, 2006, 3:10 PM

Quote:

July 13, 2006

New driving system allows paraplegics to drive manual-shift cars

Santa Monica, California - A new system developed by RediAuto Sport allows paraplegic drivers to operate manual-shift vehicles using hand controls.

The system consists of an accelerator ring mounted to the steering wheel, a lever on the stick shift to control the clutch, and a leather-covered brake lever to replace a push/pull control. For more information, visit www.rediautosport.com.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/060713-4.htm
www.rediautosport.com

Amazing system. This is when technology does a good thing.

Lilleput · July 13th, 2006, 5:41 PM

Sounds really complex just to be able to drive manuals i have borrowed a 206 with hand controls a few times and there was just a levre for speed and a lever for breaking. That manual system is a accident waiting to happen!

Mischief007 · July 13th, 2006, 6:59 PM

I went to their website and it doesn't sound too complicated at all.
Left hand:
- accelerate the car
- steer the car

Right hand
- brake
- operate the clutch
- change gears

I'd like to test it myself to see if it is complicated.

Blind_Io · July 13th, 2006, 7:11 PM

I'm really impressed, all the hand controlls I have seen before are big chunky mechanical levers that look horrible. This system not only allows disabled drivers to drive the car they want but it actually looks pretty good.

It doesn't sound much more complicated than driving a motorcycle, you just have to fight that muscle memory you have developed with conventional controlls.

Viper007Bond · July 14th, 2006, 1:20 AM

Seems like a lotta work. I think the old automatic version is better.

Peter3hg · July 14th, 2006, 8:37 AM

I misread the title and thought it said quadraplegics. I was thinking "mind-control in cars, coooooooolllllll".
Isn't this the same sort of setup Alex Zanardi has in his touring car?

chaos386 · July 14th, 2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter3hg2

I misread the title and thought it said quadraplegics. I was thinking "mind-control in cars, coooooooolllllll".
Isn't this the same sort of setup Alex Zanardi has in his touring car?

Quote:

Originally Posted by RediAuto Sport

Engineered and manufactured in Italy, these products are used by disabled race
drivers, such as Alessandro Zinardi in his team BMW.

Yup.

For everyone who says the automatic transmission version would be better, you're missing the point. This system was designed to allow paraplegics to enjoy a spirited drive with a manual transmission, just like any other petrol head would. I think it's an amazing system, especially how well it blends with the rest of the car. I know a paraplegic at my uni, and like Blind_Io said, his car has a huge, ugly, complicated-looking lever to operate the gas and brake. This system looks much classier.

fbc · July 14th, 2006, 12:24 PM

Great system - you'd pick up the knack of operating it in no time. The only downside is you can't downshift and brake at the same time, but I suppose there's only so much that's physically possible.

BlaRo · July 14th, 2006, 1:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RediAuto Sport

These RediShifts expand the world of driving to include cars that were simply inconceiveable before. This include cars from Lotus, Ford GTs, older model Ferraris and Porsches, to name a few.

Good to see that just because you're disabled doesn't mean you can't enjoy driving anymore. Also, Alex Zanardi is my hero.

fbc · July 14th, 2006, 2:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaRo

Also, Alex Zanardi is my hero.

July 13th, 2006, 5:41 PM	#2
Lilleput Evo-less Joined: Jun 10th, 2005 Last Online: November 15th, 2009 Location: United Kingdom of Denmark Age: 26 Posts: 3,019 Car: Ford S-Max Titanium - 268hp Rep Power: 77	Sounds really complex just to be able to drive manuals i have borrowed a 206 with hand controls a few times and there was just a levre for speed and a lever for breaking. That manual system is a accident waiting to happen! __________________

July 13th, 2006, 6:59 PM	#3
Mischief007 Joined: Dec 3rd, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: London, Ontario, Canada Age: 28 Posts: 4,525 Car: 2004 GP GTP CompG LFS Status: Rep Power: 29	I went to their website and it doesn't sound too complicated at all. Left hand: - accelerate the car - steer the car Right hand - brake - operate the clutch - change gears I'd like to test it myself to see if it is complicated. __________________ 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP CompG 71,464 km - 44,406 miles 14.4101 @ 94.67 mph

July 13th, 2006, 7:11 PM	#4
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: 7:16 PM Location: Utah, USA Age: 28 Posts: 10,993 Car: 2006 Nissan X-Terra - 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 266	I'm really impressed, all the hand controlls I have seen before are big chunky mechanical levers that look horrible. This system not only allows disabled drivers to drive the car they want but it actually looks pretty good. It doesn't sound much more complicated than driving a motorcycle, you just have to fight that muscle memory you have developed with conventional controlls. __________________ War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength

July 14th, 2006, 1:20 AM	#5
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Last Online: 10:47 AM Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,270 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 296	Seems like a lotta work. I think the old automatic version is better. __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

July 14th, 2006, 8:37 AM	#6
Peter3hg Joined: May 3rd, 2006 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Manchester, UK Age: 20 Posts: 4,536 Car: 2006 Yamaha Fazer LFS Status: Rep Power: 44	I misread the title and thought it said quadraplegics. I was thinking "mind-control in cars, coooooooolllllll". Isn't this the same sort of setup Alex Zanardi has in his touring car? __________________

July 14th, 2006, 12:24 PM	#8
fbc Moderator Joined: Jan 8th, 2005 Last Online: November 11th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 34 Posts: 11,776 Car: 2006 MY07 Astra SRi Turbo Rep Power: 128	Great system - you'd pick up the knack of operating it in no time. The only downside is you can't downshift and brake at the same time, but I suppose there's only so much that's physically possible. __________________ www.sniffpetrol.com

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