A recent neck fusion and full hip replacement for our Mother has necessitated her saying goodbye to her independence in terms of driving all over town.
Her desire for mobility is still strong and we have discussed many options including motorised wheelchairs.
Frankly the solutions presented do not solve all the major concerns that we have for her in terms of safety, protection from the elements, high visibility on the road and an adequate safe travelling distance.
The Kenguru may just tick the boxes – except one… okay two.
The Kenguru Car is tipped as “The first ever electrically powered vehicle designed especially for wheelchair users.”
Problem 2: As it is initially slated for the UK market we may have a small problem getting it to South Africa.
Wheelchair users drive Kenguru directly from a wheelchair – access is via the rear-opening tailgate and steering is by motorbike style handlebar. The wheelchair is secured within the car by an interlocking device. The current design allows parking rear end to the pavement for easy access and it is an ideal solution to drivers who only undertake journeys to local shops and services. Because of its weight the Kenguru is classified as a scooter and therefore only a scooter driver’s licence is required to drive Kenguru.
Kenguru looks exactly like what wheelchair users, who would like to get about town without assistance, could be looking for. Entry to the Kenguru is via an automatically lowering rear ramp, which opens at the press of the key.
Problem 1: The last tick box we need to tick for the Maternal Unit though is her inability to swing her neck completely left and right. If Kenguru could build in an option to swivel the wheelchair left and right when the vehicle comes to a stop (like at a Stop Sign or Traffic Light) then we will be away!
Kenguru was designed by a Hungarian Company specialising in development of aids for the handicapped people since 1915.
Technical Specifications:
- Maximum speed – 50 Km per hour
- Maximum distance on a single charge – 50 kilometers
- Weight – 290 kilograms without batteries
- Length – 2150 mm
- Width – 1550 mm with mirrors
- Height -1470 mm
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Alan Straton
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