Car modifier for physically challenged October 2, 2007
Posted by Ragesh G R in Uncategorized.Tags: alfred bekker, car modifier, car modifier for physically challenged, car modifier in india, car modifiers, car modifiers in chennai, cars for physically challenged, cars for physically handicapped, cars for physically handicapped in chennai, hand controls, hand driven controls, hand operated controls, hand opereted cars for physically handicapped, handicapped, HOK, modified cars for physically challenged, physically challenged, physically handicapped, ragesh in full throttle
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I think the “wizard” who made my dream of driving a car, come true, deserves an exclusive post. He is:
Mr. Bhaskaran
NO 25, NEW MARKET STREET,
CHOOLAIMEDU,
CHENNAI - 600094
Mobile: 9841190690
To mention a few words about him, he is an obviously talented Automobile Engineer cum car modifier, who specialises in modifying cars for physically challenged people. He has modified more than 150 cars so far, with 100% success and satisfaction, including the top- guns like Mercedes Benz, using the Alfred Bekker system. For under just Rs 19,000 (this might be variable depending upon the car), he had fabricated and fitted custom built hand operated kit for the accelerator and brake and combined both into a single lever, which operates both, mutually exclusively, using a push-pull mechanism, which makes it fool proof. The whole process takes just about 4-6 days. As a client, I could not be any more happier with him, both as a car modifier and as a person. His work is impeccable, his manners, immaculate. He is a boon for physically handicapped people, atleast through out Tamil Nadu. He is a rare breed indeed, because, although there are many car modifiers in Chennai, finding such a car modifier for physically challenged people in Chennai, is like finding a pearl in a haystack. (Ya he is a Pearl!). Try searching cars for physically challenged, in Google and you will see what I talking about. I dedicate this post to him.
A few snaps of the hand controlled system in my car :
Is it possible to modify a car for a person with 1 hand only(i mean upper limb amputee)…both the legs are working perfectly
@Anu: Well if the car is an automatic transmission, then there is no need of any modifications. A person with one hand and two legs can drive it normally as it is.
hey, can a car be designed for a person with one limb affected and the other partially affected who walks properly using callipers?
@Madhuri: When you say one limb, u mean leg right?, of course, the system which I descried in the above post can be driven by such a person.
left limb mostly affected and right partially…
Ya, its possible
What shud be the type of car for such persons
Go for a car with an automatic transmission, hence there is no clutch pedal, so one needs to modify only the accelerator and brakes.
Dear Ragesh
I am a Paraplegic person. I would like to know whether a Maruti SX4 can be modified to a hand control vehicle
Any vehicle can be modified to be a hand control vehicle. But since there is no automatic version of the SX4 available in India, u got to modify the clutch as well, which will make driving a bit more complicated and also people who modify the clutch are very few.
hi.
I have one rt.leg afftected .
I can walk freely but does not have enough power
for acclerator in rt leg.
what will u suggets for me..ravin.dream@gmail.com
Hi, If your left leg is fine, then you can drive any car : manual/automatic, with the accelerator modified to be hand operated. If your left leg too is affected, then you have to go for automatic car with both brake and accelerator modified to be hand operated.
Hi,
I am a person affected by polio in left leg. My right leg and both hands are fine. I would like to know what kind of car suits me and what alterations needed. I ask this because I have not driven an car thus far.
Vijayaraghavan
I read 4 or 5 of your posts and some posts of your friend kalpaka.
Happy for you and your batchmates. It is like learning how to enjoy life. But my prime years are slowly slipping by and i am in the process of getting matured(?). I was also as happy as u guys blog, until I got married. Apurama thane therinjadhu. So enjoy life to the fullest till u get married. Then life will start asking questions. Some silly and some serious. You will find it difficult to answer them, even if u are a person who could have breezed through your C.A. exams in 15 minutes preparation.
@Vijayaraghavan: Since your right leg is fine, all you need to do is just buy a car with automatic transmission. You need not do any mofication on it as it has only 2 pedals which can be operated by the right leg
Thanks for you wishes, I hope i can answer those questions if and when they surface in my life. Keep thinking positive, I am sure you too will.
Thanks, I was wearing a philosophical hat that day. I am always positive and try always to be practical.
I need a car modified for driving by my brother who is affected by Polio. He got limited strength in his legs. Let me know.
@Vijayaraghavan: Good to know
@Raja: Let him go for a car with automatic transmission , with accelerator and brake modified to be hand driven , just like mine.
Dear sir,
I am Padmanabha from Delhi and would like to go far a car which would be completely hand operated, My both legs are effected by Polio. I am acentral govt officre.I would also like to mention that you may tell me the model and cost that suits me best at the earliest.
Padmanabha
@Padmanabha: Well if u can get someone to make a hand operated clutch apart from the accelerator and brakes, then, any car right from the Maruti 800 will do. As far as I know only one person does hand operated clutch. He is in mumbai. check out http://www.handicappedpeople.com/ . But if you are in luck you might find one in delhi itself.
But if you cant find any, buy an automatic car which does not have clutch pedal, so u need to get only the brake and accelerator modified. In that case, the Hyndai Santro Automatic is the cheapest automatic car in India at 4.6 lacs on road. The modifications will cost you another 20K.
Hi,
My right leg infected with polio. I can walk freely, But I don’t have enought power in the leg. I am currently in USA. Could you please let me know what kind of car best suits for me to drive in USA . My left leg , hands all are perfect.
Appreciare your response and cooperation
Regards
Sudhakr
@Sudhakara Patruni: You can drive any car with it’s brake and accelerator modified to be hand controlled.
Hi,
Please could you provide me any address in pune(maharashtra) where cars are modified I mean brake and accelerator modified to be hand controlled.
@madawale anil: I don’t know about Pune, but there is one in Mumbai: His name is Ferdinand. Check out http://www.handicappedpeople.com/help_desk.htm . It has his address and other details.
I am physically handicaped with my right leg amputed. My left leg and hands are in good condition. I know driving very well. I would like to get one Maruti Omni van with LPG modified for my use,
Can this be done?
If so what wold be cost for its modification.
I would like to personally see any such modified car at your place.
My telephone No.s are 26705894, 26706277, 9845309240 and address is No. 265, Ist Main, Chamarajpet, Bangalore-560 018.
@Nagaraj: You can modify the car such that the accelerator and brakes are hand controlled. It would cost you in the region of 20,000 Rs, for the modification. Well, I am not a car modifier, and I am in Tamil Nadu. I got my car modified by Mr. Bhaskaran (refer the above post), You can contact him for further assistance.
Hi Ragesh,
I would like to appreciate your service, it gives me confident on driving a car..Me too affected with polio on my right leg, but my left leg and hands are fine, please suggest me whether i can modify a manual transmission Car (fuel may be diesel), and also if i want to learn driving before purchasing a car, is it possible in any driving schools in chennai. Please advice.
Hi Mari,
Thanks :). Glad that you are confident of driving a car. Since, your left leg is fine, you can modify a manual transmission car by just modifying the brakes and accelarator to hand controlled. But it is very rare that driving schools have such a modified car. But don’t worry, you can learn driving yourself after buying it. It took only one day for me to learn driving. So I am sure you too can do the same. So don’t bother about driving schools. Just that the awarness of rules etc should come from within.
Hi Ragesh,
Thanks for your prompt response..
How about for getting driving license in chennai. do we have any issues for getting it.
Hi Rajesh,
Its really nice stuff that you have writeen. Its immense pleasure that I can find some one like you online who has such a good knowledge of cars.
I have the similar case as of you and have just purchased Santro AT and will be giving it for modification. i am in Bangalore.
i want you to give me tips how to it feels or difficult it is to dirve a car whose steering, brakes and accelerators are hand operated. What are the things that need to be taken care of.
If you dont mind me calling you, can i have your number so that i can discuss few things with you.
Thanks
Bharat Dureja
@Bharat: Thanks :). Congrats on your new Santro AT.
Well driving it is a pleasure, no difficulties what so ever. Took just one day for me to learn it confidently. You need to handle the steering with your right hand alone, and both the brakes and accelerator with your left hand, but its very convenient, because a single lever controls both the accelerator and the brakes. The lever, when pulled towards you, accelerates the car, and when pushed away from you, applies the brakes. It is very easy during stop - go city traffic.
As far as the steering is controlled, the Santro AT has the most smooth, easy, responsive and accurate power steering it’s category. So maneuvering the car is a piece of cake. In fact your can drive the car (the steering, accelerator and brakes, all 3) with just 3 fingers of your left hand alone, just in case you want to stretch your right hand and flex a muscle.
A small thing which needs to be taken care of is that since the car does n’t stall, even when the throttle is released, it will move at 5 km/hr, so u need to apply the brakes all the time, or shift it into N or P. Also, after coming to full stop, before shifting to P (Parking), hold the brakes with your right hand, and then use left hand to shift it into P. Overall the car will dance at your finger tips :). I have sent you a mail too with phone no:.
Convert any manual car to semi automatic , it is very cheap and easy to install the kit. It does not effect on fuel efficiency of car. It is very usefull in traffic were clutch pedal used frequently. It is also usefull to handicapped person with left leg. contact me for more information. phone no: suresh patel 09825227475, arvind patel 09825146978
Hi Ragesh,
Thanks for your good effort on this ,My left side leg was affected by polio but my right side leg and both hands on fine.I dont know driving even two wheeler,first i want to know driving then plan to get modified car,please advice me where can get driving practice.Please let me know regarding this.
Shri Arvind Patel ji Good Morning I hope you that you will behappy
with family.I inform you that Iam both legs polio I wnat a hand control
car (Maruti car) cheap and good conddition Nowdays Iam facing lot
of hard problem without vehicle for go to eachother place .pl call
my contact No. 09760012795, Add- B.S.A.College of Engg & Tech
Mathura (U.P.)
Shri Patel Ji Good Morning
I inform you that I have not any vehicle I am both legs polio I can not
be travel without an escort so I request you if you have one used
maruti car with hand control operated car pl call to me. my contact No. 09760012795
@Natesan: Well, you can learn after getting ur modified car, it wont take time.. Else you must find someone with such a car near you..
Hi Ragesh,
This is my first post on this forum. Recently I was searching for such forums as I am also in the process of buying a new car. I will let u know my case and then ask u few questions. Plz bear with me as it would a bit lengthy one.
I have a congenital (by birth) disability below the left arm elbow. as the development of the rest of my arm did not take place. Rest of my limbs (right hand as well as both the legs) are absolutely perfect. My father encouraged me to drive a normal car right in 8th standard. I used to drive my father’s Maruti 800 (a normal one) in and out of garage and apart from this i had also hit the roads in my 10th standard two-three times (i know i was not even old enough to get a learning license but still i managed to drive in a small city with less traffic without getting caught). After that i bumped into a side wall when i was parking my car and my dad was sitting next to me. He did shower some hard words which was understandable as quite a lot of damage was done. Thereafter my confidence took a big jolt. Till date (i have just finished my MBA and i will be starting of with my Job) i feel a bit nervous when i take my car out and as of now i live in Delhi.. I donot take it on roads. My problem has been (most of the times)… when i shift the gear from 2nd to 3rd gear (old Maruti 800 gears were a little hard as well). In doing so… first i have to bend a little bit on the left side to change it. Following this i lose a bit of control on the car as well. Second, at times the gear does not shifts easily and eventually the car slows down and is not ready to be shifted to third gear… and the gear is in neutral position. I know I have written a long post. I will shoot my questions now…
1) Do u think i really require a Automatic version car?
2) Is there a way of improving the shifting of gear from 2nd to 3rd with my specific disability been taken into consideration. so that the gear shifts easily.
3) Do you have any idea that how smooth the gears of the cars are nowdays. and which cars (small and mid sized cars) have a easy shifting of gears
4) i believe i will be able to change gears if the length of the rod of the gear is a bit longer (as compared to old Maruti 800 gear). So that i will not have to bend so much. do u have any info which cars might have a longer rod of the gear or any modification can be done to increase the length of the rod of the gear.
5) What all modifications can be done (taking my case specifically) with a normal car so that i can shift the gears easily.
6) Do let me know the modifications which can be done with normal cars as the mileage is a big issue with Automatic cars.
7) Last but not the least if i have to go with automatic version cars…which automatic car would be better-
Santro AT, wagon R AX or the most expected one to be launched Hyundai i10 Auto. Also let me know which car gives the best mileage out of the automatic ones.
With regards
Pulkit Bhandari
@Pulkit Bhandari:
Well this is not a forum per se, it is my blog post and this is the comment section. Anyways does n’t matter hee hee. Coz I wrote this particular post to help physically challenged people just like me..
Don’t get dissapointed and do not lose confidence. Everyone bumps their car once or twice in the early stages.
Well since your left arm is not fully developed, I would suggest you go for an automatic car. I know mileage is a big issue, as I get only about 9-10 km/l from my Santro AT.
But from what you described, you find it very difficult to change gears, esp from 2 - 3 since it follows a Z pattern. Since you said you lose a bit of control over the car when you bend down, taking your long term safety and comfort (ex: a long journey of say 400 km, or a crowded street), I suggest you go for an automatic car.
Well, as an owner of a Santro AT, I think it is awesome, for it’s price. I could not find info on the mileage on Wagon R AX, but since Wagon R AX has only 3 gears compared to Santro AT’s 4, I suspect the mileage of Wagon R is going to be less than that of the Santro. As far as the i10 is concerned , it has the best comfort. poise and driveability, but it has the same 1.1 litre Santro engine but tuned to produce 3 more BHP, and the car is heavier, so I suspect i10’s mileage is also going to be less than that of the Santro, unless they really have a new 5 gear automatic tranmission, or if they make the gear ratios taller.
As far as normal cars are concerned, most modern cars today have smooth gear shifts. Among them i10 has a center console mounted gear shift, so I think you need not bend down so much..And also in all the reviews of the car, the gear shift was praised for it’s precision and smoothness. And coming to midsize cars, almost all have very smooth gear shifts. May be you just sit inside them and try it out.
I think if you could buy a car with steering mounted gear shift (like the old Ambassadors and Premier Padminis (Fiat 1100). it would be easy for you, but since no such cars are available now , do not mess with the gear box.
Some cars have sequential gear changes that is no gates. Push fwd for up and pull backwards for down. Some cars have steering mounted paddle shifts, but these two features are available only on luxury cars above 16 lacs.
So in the end, I would like you to go for an automatic, but you can just try out the i10 if you really want a manual transmission car.
hi is there any car modifier in nagpur (maharashtra). for hand operated clutch of Tata india Xeta .
MR. Ragesh G R,
I am effected with both lower limb. Is there any possibility for this type of handicapped. I want to know that i am living in delhi and I have planned to buy a old car. Is there any possibility to compose the car in delhi . Pls reply me.
@Shrikant: There is one in Mumbai. Check out: http://www.handicappedpeople.com/help_desk.htm
I am not sure about Nagpur, but there might be..
@Neeraj: Yes it is possible. There are two options. You can either buy a car with automatic transmission and modify the accelerator and brakes to be hand operated or buy a manual and apart from doing the above modifications, you gotta change the clutch as well. There must be such modifiers in Delhi, but I don’t have any info about them..
What will be cost for modification. How much extra charge will have to pay for a automatic transmitted car comparison to a simple car.
@Neeraj: Well, neither of your questions have a direct constant answer, because, the cost of the modifications depends on both the car and the kind of modification. For example. I paid Rs 17,000 to modify my automatic Santro Xing with hand operated accelerator and brakes. If you go for the clucth modification also, then it might be around 30,000-35,000.
The cost difference between an automatic and a normal car depends on the model of the car and also depends on which versions you are comparing. For example, my automatic Santro cost me about Rs 4.5 lac, which is 40,000 more than the top of the line manual version(XO) and 65,000 more than the equivalent manual version(XL). Again these prices vary between cities.
Hi Rajesh,
i am suffering with right leg, after reading u r messages i can understood that i can modify car and drive safe . but my question is i am from hyderabad is there any of u r friend or any workshop will do same here(means modify the car)
waiting for u r answer
Thanks,
Hari
@Hari: I am Ragesh :-p, well.. sorry, I don’t know anyone who can modify in hyderabad. Try contacting Bhaskaran , my car modifier
Mr. Bhaskaran
NO 25, NEW MARKET STREET,
CHOOLAIMEDU,
CHENNAI - 600094
Mobile: 9841190690
Hi,
I am affected by polio in right leg & give pressure left leg but not move properly. My both hands are fine. I would like to know what kind of car suits me and what alterations needed. I ask this because I have not driven an car thus far.
please suggest me suitable car.
your faith fully
vinod kumar
HAL-korwa U.P
Hi Vinod: You can go for an automatic car with brakes and accelerators modified.. or a even a manual car if you can modify the clutch..
Hi ragesh, thanks for the information. I have a spinal cord injury, so looking for an automatic(i10 or santro may be). I am from cochin, looking for a modifier here.
Can you send me some photos(mobile cam will be fine) of the handdrive system. Or if possible please post in this blog.
Also can you blog about how you got the license and the car registration procedures?
btw, how do we go up an incline from rest, using this hand controls?
regards
tony
Hi Tony:
Hope you buy your car soon. Yes, I have posted the photos in this post.
I registered it as a normal vehicle, since I needed the car quickly, else register it as an invalid carriage. For license, you need a doctors certificate saying u are fit to drive a hand controlled car, and a manufacturer’s certificate saying the modifications are safe. Hyundai does not provide such a certificate because the modification is not done by hyundai. In that case the RTO has to approve the modifications in the RC. Well, to go up an incline from rest, you can shift the gear to “D” and apply the throttle immediately. Well if you want to play it safe, then press the brake with the right hand, shift to “D” (or L or 2 as you please) with left hand, now hold the brake with the left hand, release your right hand and hold the steering wheel, now pull the throttle with left and off you go. It may seem complicated, but it is pretty simple and takes less than a second.
Hi Ragesh,
Thanks a lot for the photos and your reply
The controls look really nice.
Just for the sake of knowing, is it a good idea to have the hand control on our right side? ie, steering with the left hand and lever in the right hand. what do you think about it?
Have a nice time driving..
Hi Tony,
Thanks
Ya one can have the control on the right side, because, one is gonna learn in that configuration and get used to it.
But your right hand may not have much space to move about, but on the + side, you can rest your right hand on the door pads/arm rests. So it is fine.
You are right, it will be good to rest on the armrest.
On the -ve side it may interfere with our entry into the car. And also the use of left/right indicators, just my guess.
Hi Rajesh,
I am shashi from Bangalore,i am affected with Left leg & my Right leg & both hands are good.I am planning to buy SANTRO AT with No modifications.Pls let me know what should i do for getting the DL.
Regards
shashidhar
Hi Shashi,
I think you can get license in the usual way given u are not gonna do any mods.
Hi,
I have my left leg affected by polio completely. My right leg and my both hands are perfectly alright.
Now, I am planning to have a car for my use. Whats the alteration I need to do, If I purchase a car. Or any specific model is good for me?
Kindly advice.
Hi Venkatesh:
If you buy a car with automatic transmission, you can drive it without any alteration. If you buy a manual one, you have to modify its clutch pedal.
Hi Rages, could you explain me bit in detail (About the which part of our body) requires to operate the Clutch, break and gear. And, which are Car models that comes with the automatic transmission?
Thanks for your time and Reply.
Rgds
Venkatesh S
Hi my name is Ali and i am a 20 year old guy who is passionate about cars….I love modified cars and i would love to own one as well now the problem is that i an looking for such person who can make my dream come true …I would first like to buy a car and then i would want to turn it into a flying machine…I love ac cobra and other two seater cars in that section.
Hi Ragesh,
Heard about you from many people.. I own maruti 800 std 2003 mpfi model.I wanted to convert my car into power steering..please advice….
@Venkatesh:
If it is a manual, its the hand that will operate the clucth, the design I have heard about is, that it is vacuum assisted, so you pull the clucth with your hand, it will re-engage afer 3 seconds, by that time you change the gear.
The cars that have automatic transmission are:
Hyundai Santro AT
Wagon R AT
Hyundai i10 AT (Might be released later this year)
Maruti Zen AT (Not in production)
Maruti Esteem AT (Not in production)
Honda City CVT
Honda Civic
Other than this, almost all cars which cost above 10 lacs have an automatic model.
@Kamal:
Well, I am not a car modifer, I got a car modified so that I could drive it, being physically challened. Well as far as converting it into power steering is concerned, as far as I know, its not worth it, it might cost you nearly a lac and it is dangerous and it is not advisable to fiddle with such a vital component.
Hi Ragesh
Sorry to bother you
I have a question related to this….Do we get DL in India for physically challenged people. In case of people with both hands they definitely give but I am a right arm amputee and when I enquired in bangalore they just laughed it off as how can you drive without a hand…of course my legs are fine and my left arm is working all fine…but is it legally possible to have a license?
Thanks
Anu
@Anu:Wel even for ppl with both hands, its not easy, its an ordeal. Well ., since two legs and one hand is fine, you should get license, but they themselves are confused about the rules