"For me, mobility means freedom. Nico, rapper Drive-By, inclusion officer and technology fan, beams as he drives the first few kilometers in his new VW Caddy Maxi Dark Label - his "transformer". After eleven years and 199,000 loyal kilometers in his old vehicle, a new chapter is beginning for him: more comfort, state-of-the-art technology and even more independence. But the journey to this moment was anything but ordinary.
Adapting his new vehicle was precision work: the docking stations had to be aligned to the millimeter so that Nico could easily drive in his PARAVAN PR 50. The extended seat platform of his wheelchair posed a particular challenge for the team, but they solved it with the utmost care. "I feel a bit like I'm on a spaceship - a lot has changed in eleven years, a lot of the technology is new," enthused Nico after his first trip.
Precision and technology: how the “Transformer” became Nico's faithful companion
He completed his driver training at the Aichelau Mobility Park in 2009 while still in high school. The road to independence took many steps: After graduating from high school in 2011, Nico was finally able to realize his first vehicle project, which has given him full mobility since 2013. "The Caddy was the perfect size for me," he says. He can easily enter the vehicle via the rear ramp, which, thanks to a lowered underbody, provides the necessary headroom up to the D-pillar. In addition to the technology, practical details were also crucial: "It was important for me to have space for a small wheelchair in addition to the two folding seats in the rear. Since 2011, he has been accompanied by his PARAVAN PR 50, which he also uses as a driver's seat: "So that I don't have to be transferred, but can get in without help." For him, this freedom means autonomy - in everyday life, on stage and on the way to professional appointments.
At the heart of his "transformer" is the second-generation Space Drive drive and steering system. Nico steers his vehicle precisely and effortlessly using a 4-way joystick with a fork on the left side for a secure grip. "I have everything under control with minimal effort," explains Nico. A new addition is the Paravan Touch with voice control. This technology turns the "Transformer" into a real high-tech vehicle: secondary functions such as indicators, lights or the sun visor can be operated easily and safely while driving.
For Nico, mobility is more than technology: "It's quality of life for me-getting from point A to point B independently." He used to depend on the help of others. That all changed when he got his first car: "That was a game changer." Today, his car is indispensable - professionally, to get to appointments as an inclusion officer, and privately, to pursue his passion as a rapper. "Without my car, I wouldn't be able to go to a lot of gigs and concerts. I'm usually the driver - and that makes me independent."
From a shared room to the stage: how “Drive-By” found his beats and his way
It all started in a shared room: eleven years ago, Nico, better known as "Drive-By", met his current producer. The spontaneous question "Why don't you rap yourself?" changed everything. "You have so many experiences and topics that no one else has," the producer encouraged him - and he was right. Nico's first song was very well received and laid the foundation for his solo career as "Drive-By". His stage name reflects not only his music, but also his life: his car, which he controls as precisely as his stage performances, works on the "drive-by-wire" principle. "Back then, I never thought that so many people would be interested in my music," says Nico. Today, he performs regularly, playing anywhere from ten to 30 gigs a year - independently and always with the "Transformer" at his side.
After the wheelchair was adapted, the drive and steering system was fine-tuned. Everything had to work the way Nico was used to with his old car - but with the added benefits of the new technology. Again, precision was required: after a few trial runs, the "Transformer" was perfectly tuned to Nico's needs. The first long drive took him back to Offenburg, where family and friends were eagerly awaiting the new car. "Everyone wants to see what the new Transformer looks like," says Nico with a smile. For him, it's more than just a car - it's a faithful companion that takes him on stage as well as safely through everyday life.
More than a car: the Transformer as a symbol of freedom and quality of life
Nico's story is a powerful example of inclusion in action - and what is possible through technology and innovation. As we celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, his "Transformer" is a reminder of the importance of making mobility and participation accessible to everyone. As Richard von Weizsäcker once said: "Not being disabled is really not a merit, but a gift that can be taken away from any of us at any time". This is an issue that affects us all - and Nico's journey shows how much quality of life can be gained through individual adaptations, state-of-the-art technology, and the courage to be independent.
