The Honda City was booked in early August. Delivery was slated four weeks from the date of booking. The first thing that I did after that was to look for a hand control kit. Since I am unable to step on the pedals, I have to control both the accelerator and brake pedals by hand.
There are currently three versions of hand control kits that are being used in Malaysia. Only one is suitable because the other two needed good hand function that I lacked. I chose the one Christine is using because of its simplicity. One stick controls the brake and accelerator. It is attached to the steering column just behind the steering wheel. The stick is pressed down for accelerating and pushed forward for braking.
The hand control kit in Christine’s car.
Photo by Wuan.
Christine got her friends to help me get the hand control kit from Singapore. The kit manufacturer, Mobility Product & Design of USA, have two dealers in the island republic, but none in Malaysia. It cost SGD800 – around RM1,900. The other more commonly used kit costs RM2,800 plus installation.
I got the left hand control unit instead of the more commonly used control for right hand. My main concern was that the kit installed for the right hand could severely impede my entry and exit into the car. However, the left hand control kit presented a host of other problems too.
… to be continued.
Related entries:
Project Drive For Freedom – Part 2
Project Drive For Freedom – Part 1
Answer Me This
First Step Of Another Journey
Test Driving The Civic
My Dream Ride
Reclaiming My Life
WHOAAA cool stuff!
Peter:
It is all mechanical.
You’re gonna have problems getting the handbrake and shifting the auto gear with one hand on the foot brake-the car’s gonna roll fwd or backwards during parking..I think the left hand version is more suited for LH drive cars.
Looks like not much mechanical advantage in the brake setup- you will need a lot of pressure to brake sufficiently-start excercising those muscles!
Peter:
I only need to engage the gear once just before I drive and disengage after I have reached my destination. Should not be much of a problem. The brake is actually very light. I have no problems with it.
Ex Penang Boy : There is more than enough pressure in those hand controls to stop the car fast enough to make your nose bleed. I am more concerned about how sensitive Peter is going to be with the controls, since his muscular control is not exactly constant, depending on how tired he gets.
As for keeping pressure on the brake while changing gears or manuevering the car, I have something in mind which involves a little solenoid switch and a push button. But that’s for the future. We just need to get the thing installed first, and then fitting it the way Peter wants.
Peter:
I want a joystick to replace the steering, can?
Thanks for the heads up Snark.Great job you’re doing! Nifty contraption, that.
all the best with the car peter 🙂
Peter:
We go for a ride when you are back ya!
When r u gonna take your lesen?
Peter:
After I get approval for the attachment.
May your endeavour be smooth flowing, all the best peter but drive carefully!.
Peter:
Thank you. 😀