Disabilities-R-Us

Hi Guys,

As a final year project for my Open University degree i've resolved to design better car hand controls than those currently available.

My main focus is on allowing a paraplegic driver (or one who lacks the use of one or more limbs) to participate fully in race and track day driving; this means being able to operate throttle, brake, steering, and crucially clutch and manual gearchange simultaneously without having to compromise.

Currently there doesn't appear to be anything on the market to achieve this which is a great shame as those who are living with their condition as a consequence of the "adrenalin junkie" lifestyle (motorcycling, armed forces etc.) would I suspect relish the prospect to compete on an even footing with able-bodied drivers.

Such a device would also benefit everyday disabled drivers on the road.

If any road or race car drivers on here have any issues or complaints at all with their current car controls it would be great to hear your comments. Thanks!! 

Go for it, the competition in that level of controls is fierce - all of your suggestions are already out there, specialist order, with a few such controls in competitive vehicles - if you can design such a system, that is approved by the law makers, for less that two thousand dollars, I would buy it.

my hand controls and ancillary equipment cost six thousand dollars, being hand controls controlling zero effort steering, zero effort braking and throttle.

[quote="Ragman"]
Go for it, the competition in that level of controls is fierce - all of your suggestions are already out there, specialist order, with a few such controls in competitive vehicles - if you can design such a system, that is approved by the law makers, for less that two thousand dollars, I would buy it.

my hand controls and ancillary equipment cost six thousand dollars, being hand controls controlling zero effort steering, zero effort braking and throttle.
[/quote]

Great response, thanks for the encouragement!!

Can you post up links or pictures of your hand controls? If so that would be great 

no link, no pictures

[quote="Ragman"]
no link, no pictures
[/quote]

That's a shame, did you buy them off the shelf or were they custom made for you? If bought the manufacturer's details would help

I have no information about them.

FWIW    http://www.race-dezert.com/home/partial ... 43264.html

[quote="Astro"]
FWIW    http://www.race-dezert.com/home/partial ... 43264.html
[/quote]

Thanks for the link, some interesting stuff on there, i've contacted Runnit CNC