Embarking on a path to independence with the customized Paravan Hyundai Staria

Simply getting in the car on a whim and driving off—for Marina, that was long unimaginable. 
Since March, the 33-year-old social worker has been driving independently in her custom-modified Paravan Hyundai Staria. For her, this means far more than just driving: more freedom in daily life, more independence, and the ability to decide for herself when and where she wants to go. “Now I can just say: I’m getting in the car and driving off,” says Marina. “For me, mobility means freedom, independence, and self-determination.”.

In 2024, Marina completed her driver’s education at the Paravan Driving School in Aichelau. At the time, she drove a Peugeot Traveller equipped with the Space Drive electronic driving and steering system. The vehicle is controlled via two joysticks: Marina uses her left hand to operate the gas and brake, and her right hand to steer the vehicle.

Embracing her new mobility

The first driving lessons were unfamiliar territory for Marina. Lots of new technology, a large vehicle, and completely new procedures. “At first, I was overwhelmed—in a good way,” she recalls. Step by step, she found her way into the new situation and gained increasing confidence in the vehicle and the technology. “I was thrilled from the very beginning—but I also had a lot of respect for it,” says Marina. “I drove very carefully because it was very challenging.”

Above all, she first had to develop a feel for the subtle movements of the joystick steering. Her goal had never been to master everything perfectly right away. Instead, she wanted to consciously take her time, gain experience, and slowly develop a routine. With every driving lesson, the new mobility became more natural. In May 2024, Marina finally held her driver’s license in her hands . Then the next stage began: choosing the right vehicle, submitting an application to the funding agency, and planning the custom vehicle conversion.

Custom Vehicle Modification for Maximum Independence

The decision was made to go with a Hyundai Staria. The main deciding factor was the generous amount of space, as Marina needs to transport two wheelchairs in her daily life. At the same time, modern assistance systems and additional safety features played an important role in the vehicle selection. The value for money also convinced her. Next came the process of customizing the vehicle to her personal needs. Marina lives with dwarfism and brittle bone disease. Standing at 85 centimeters tall, she is one of Paravan’s smallest customers. 

Step by step, a vehicle was created that was precisely tailored to Marina’s requirements and her daily life. Marina enters the vehicle with her wheelchair via the Paravan cassette lift. She then transfers to the specially adapted driver’s seat via the transfer console and moves directly in front of the steering wheel. The Hyundai Staria is controlled via the Space Drive electronic driving and steering system using two joysticks—accelerator and brake on the left, steering on the right.

The vehicle was tailored down to the last detail to meet Marina’s requirements. The vehicle’s secondary functions can be easily operated via Paravan Touch. A beeper assists Marina with key functions such as turn signals or windshield wipers. Additional camera systems help Marina see into the blind spot, as she is unable to perform a classic shoulder check. The specially adapted seating solution was also particularly important. In collaboration with mannl + hauck Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Technology, a custom-made seat shell was developed that provides Marina with the necessary support and a secure seating position while driving. Thanks to Isofix mounts, the seat shell can be flexibly used on both the driver’s and passenger’s seats. Electric armrests further facilitate transferring between seats.

The first interim adjustments took place as early as July 2025. As further adjustments were made, the vehicle was repeatedly fine-tuned and precisely adapted to Marina’s daily life. 
“You need patience because it’s so individualized,” says Marina.

Step by step back to routine

Getting back behind the wheel after a long break took some patience. “After such a long break, it was a bit nerve-wracking at first,” says Marina. With each subsequent drive, however, her confidence returned and she became more comfortable with the car. The key factor was the fact that the vehicle had been customized specifically for her. 
“With the vehicle customized specifically for me, a lot of things became much easier.”

Today, Marina is increasingly expanding her daily range on her own. Her daily commute is now just as much a part of it as spontaneous appointments or trips with friends. She has even already covered her first longer distances on her own. “I’ve become much more independent—that’s what real participation looks like to me,” she says. “Self-determined mobility has definitely become a reality.” Much of it still feels “a bit surreal.” But with every drive, this new mobility becomes more natural. Today, she can decide for herself when she leaves, where she goes—and when she comes back. “Now I just get in the car and drive off.”