Stuttgart / Hamburg, Germany, July 8, 2014 More Mobility Taking an active part in life with individual driving aids The working day at the Mercedes-Benz own-retail outlet in Hamburg: When Frank Rennhack advises his customers at the Mercedes-Benz own-retail outlet, he puts his heart and soul into it. Because when the mobility expert for Mercedes-Benz ex factory driving aids talks to customers about specific vehicle features, he knows from personal experience how important an individually configured mobility solution is for drivers with a physical handicap. Enlarge Frank Rennhack at the Mercedes-Benz branch office Hamburg. Especially for people with a physical impairment, it is particularly important to have the freedom to drive where you want. Thanks to these driving aids, it is for example possible for wheelchair users and amputees to drive a car themselves, and therefore retain a measure of independence. The driving aids include a number of manual control units for acceleration and braking, a rotary steering wheel knob and rotating seats, says Frank Rennhack as he explains the added value of the driving aids. Enlarge Frank Rennhack with the gold medal of the sledge-hockey-worldcup 2013. Frank Rennhack is a wheelchair user himself. His lower body has been paralyzed ever since complications with a childhood operating procedure. Nonetheless Frank Rennhack leads a very full life, and is also very active in sport. He is an enthusiastic member of the national sledge ice-hockey team. This is ice-hockey for people with disabilities to their lower extremities, e.g. lower body paralysis or an amputation. The pitch and rules are the same as for conventional ice-hockey. However the players move on sledges and with the help of two sticks. Frank Rennhack is able to look back proudly on a European championship title, a world championship title and a fourth place in the Paralympics. He is particularly keen to ensure that his customers receive a vehicle in which they can feel totally at home. He also advises customers on the subject of driving aids, suggesting a choice of suitable products and also advising on the official bodies and contact personnel for e.g. grants and subsidies. All in all he provides something of an all-round carefree package. Enlarge Sledge-hockey-worldcup group match against Estonia 2013. Enlarge Goal celebration at the sledge-hockey-worldcup 2013. He himself drives a specially equipped E-Class Estate, which also serves as a showcar for potential customers: Thanks to the individual equipment and the intelligent assistance systems, it is far easier for me to drive to league games, training camps and tournaments. The following driving aids are installed in my car, for example: A rotating steering wheel knob which enables me to turn the wheel quickly, although I only steer with one hand. This is because the other hand operates the Multima II manual control unit which I need to accelerate and brake. The control unit has a bolted connection to the gas pedal and brake pedal, and works like this: when I move the accelerator lever down I accelerate, and when I push the lever forward I brake. The foot-operated parking brake is instead operated by a hand lever. There is a cover over the pedals, however this can be removed at any time so that a pedestrian can also drive the car quite normally. Enlarge Frank Rennhack at the fotoshooting for the customer magazine. But that is not all: Another special feature is the fact that the car is equipped with two accelerator pedals for demonstration purposes. If someone has a problem with his right leg, for example, or the right leg has even been amputated, he can simply flip a switch and accelerate with the left leg. And if a wife or partner wants to drive, the switch can be used to revert to normal operation using the conventional accelerator pedal on the right.“ These need-related technical solutions and vehicle conversions are an enormous aid to day-to-day independence, and therefore greatly improve the quality of life of customers whose mobility is restricted. Examples Das Handbediengeräte „EasySpeed“ zum Gasgeben und Bremsen, eines der schmalsten Geräte am Markt mit resultierender maximaler Sitzlängsverstellung. Das Handbediengeräte „EasySpeed“ zum Gasgeben und Bremsen, eines der schmalsten Geräte am Markt mit resultierender maximaler Sitzlängsverstellung. Der Schwenk-Hebesitz „Turny Evo“ erleichert das Ein- und Aussteigen auf der Beifahrerseite Die neue A-Klasse mit Handbediengeräte und Lenkraddrehknauf Mercedes-Benz ex factory driving aids and More Mobility – a customer-oriented overall package for which More Mobility Centers, currently 25 in Germany, are being established in selected Daimler AG outlets. These have specially trained sales personnel who are extremely familiar with the topic. Being mobile and taking an active part in life – to this end the Mercedes-Benz More Mobility Centers offer tailor-made solutions which can overcome many restrictions. Moreover, Mercedes-Benz Germany offers customers with a physical disability of 50% or more a special discount of 15 percent, including a full manufacturers warranty, on the new price of the chosen, individually converted vehicle. Further informations Broschure ex factory driving aids
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 16:07:17 +0000
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