Motion is the Ultimate Freedom

In July of last year I wrote an article for New Mobility Magazine about Robots assisting persons with disabilities.

I looked at the current state of robot design and had some fun with the concept of R2-D2 or C3PO becoming helpers in the near future. It is without a doubt an incredibly fascinating idea to have mechanical aids helping people with disabilities. Talking with the researchers gave me the hope that we will see this happen sometime in our lifetimes.

As part of the article we asked people with disabilities to respond and tell us their vision of a perfect robot and what its most important tasks would be. We only received three responses, but all three had a universal theme.

A few people wanted the robot to do chores, some wanted it to look cute, but everyone wanted the robot to lift them, help them transfer, or help them change position.

It occurred to me that perhaps the ultimate freedom for someone who cannot move is to be able to move any time they want to or need to move because of pain or pressure. The other part of this freedom is to be able to move without being at someone's mercy, begging for help, or bothering another person. They understand that no matter how generous, their need is still inconveniencing someone else. Movement with the help of a machine is still better and gives a greater feeling of freedom.

I can appreciate this feeling when I get out on the ice in a hockey sled. The feeling of moving, sliding, and defying friction is incredible. To move without wheels, without wings, without a motor, is an awesome feeling. Freedom is one way to describe the sensation.

All of this reminds me modifying vans and cars for persons with disabilities is actually providing motion and by definition freedom to the people who use our vehicles.
KB

2008 Chrysler Minivan Redesign

The 2008 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan minivan redesign was a pivotal fork-in-the-road for this product and the company. I'm not sure they took the right path.

Chrysler's engineers could have designed something unique, streamlined and beautiful. Instead, they chose to prey upon the fears of drivers, especially the soccer moms looking for safety and security. The new van has a blunt nose, wide stance and aggressive-looking grill, similar to the Charger and 300, to give it the feeling of increased safety.

The new design also is more macho and gets away from the soccer-mom look. GM did the same thing with its under-achieving minivans several years ago. The slight increase in sales didn't help enough to keep the "U" chassis from being cut from the GM product lineup. 2008 will be the last year for the Chevrolet Uplander minivans.

Even in 2004 when Chrysler was redesigning their minivans, the writing on the wall said "accommodate older baby boomers, be environmentally responsible, increase gas mileage, and give us some luxury features."

Chrysler increased the luxury features, but missed everything else. I don't see any increase in accessibility features for persons with disabilities or any assistance to the vehicle modifiers now dealing with the nightmare of completely redesigning their lowered floor vehicle.

I'm sure Chrysler engineers and marketing people can site the increased problems meeting upgraded 2008 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, market pressures from overseas companies, and lack of sales volume in the "disability market" as reasons for not producing accessible product. However, the creative process used to solve accessibility problems can be its own reward and has often lead to new and wildly successful products.

Chrysler could have chosen a path filled with innovation, style and environmental sensitivity. Instead they have chosen a path leading to a homogenized product line while showing the world a fierce face.