Rethinking Mobility: Nine Electric Wheelchairs for an Independent Life

What began in 2008 as a bold innovation is now a broad portfolio of wheelchairs comprising nine models. Paravan consistently develops and manufactures electric wheelchairs based on user needs—with a high degree of vertical integration at its Aichelau facility, technological expertise from its in-house development department, and a holistic approach to mobility that goes far beyond traditional assistive devices.

Mobility is more than just getting around. It means participation, self-determination, and quality of life. When Roland Arnold introduced the Paravan PR 50 in 2008, this very dimension was at the center of attention. The PR 50 was the first electric wheelchair with EU-wide approval as a car driver’s seat under § 35a StVZO—crash-tested and fully integrable into a holistic mobility concept.

“We never wanted to just build a wheelchair,” says Roland Arnold, founder and managing director of Paravan GmbH. “Our goal was and remains to push technical boundaries and restore people’s freedom of action where it has been taken away from them. Mobility means freedom—and freedom should not be a matter of physical ability.”

The PR 50 remains the centerpiece of the portfolio to this day. It combines daily life, therapy, and independent driving in a single system. The electric wheelchair is listed in the medical aid directory of statutory health insurance (HMV No. 18.99.06.1048) and is the first wheelchair to simultaneously meet the requirements of a certified car driver’s seat under § 35a StVZO. Its electric lift function brings the user to eye level—both at work and in private settings. The tilt function supports pressure relief and seating comfort, promotes blood circulation, and contributes to pressure ulcer prevention. In combination with the Paravan docking station, the wheelchair becomes a fully-fledged, certified driver’s seat in the vehicle—without repositioning or additional transfers.

In-house development as a promise of quality

All models in the PR series are manufactured at the company headquarters in Pfronstetten Aichelau. Design, electronics development, mechanical manufacturing, and customization all come together here. This high level of vertical integration enables innovations to be directly translated into market-ready products and solutions to be flexibly adapted. Custom-made products, special mounts, or individual seating systems are developed and produced in-house.

The technological foundation is a strongly development-driven environment. Paravan develops core components and systems in-house—from mechanics and electronics to control technology. This interdisciplinary development work enables innovations to be rapidly transformed into marketable solutions and individually adapted to complex user requirements. Technologies such as the Space Drive electronic drive and steering system exemplify this development expertise—even beyond the wheelchair segment.

Nine models for different lifestyles

In addition to the PR 50, the portfolio includes eight other models that address a wide range of needs. The majority of electric wheelchairs in the PR series are listed in the Medical Aid Catalog of the statutory health insurance system (HMV) and are thus recognized as reimbursable medical aids—an important foundation for care provision in collaboration with medical supply stores, rehabilitation centers, and payers.

The PR 25 stands for maximum flexibility in everyday life. Its seat can be lowered almost to floor level and, optionally, raised significantly. This variable seat height facilitates transfers and enables interaction at different levels in private, professional, or school settings—especially for people of short stature and children.

The PR 30/II is considered a versatile all-rounder. Electric tilt and lift functions, as well as individually configurable seating systems, allow for precise adaptation to complex care scenarios and changing requirements.

With the PR 40, Paravan combines therapeutic functions with mobility suitable for everyday use. The electric standing, tilting, and reclining functions support circulation and musculature, enable social interaction at eye level, and can contribute to reintegration into working life.

In the premium segment, the PR biolution stands out as a multifunctional care and therapy chair. Biometric joints in the hip and knee areas are modeled after natural movement patterns and enable individually programmable movement sequences.

For children and adolescents, the PR 35 and PR 35 S were developed as systems that grow with the user, featuring seating concepts that can be flexibly adapted to growth and the progression of the condition—a significant advantage in long-term care. The portfolio is complemented by the PR 4X outdoor wheelchair, featuring increased ground clearance, all-wheel drive, customizable tire profiles, and a robust design, as well as the PR Heavy Duty, whose reinforced chassis and high load capacity are designed to meet special requirements.

Customizable controls – as flexible as the user

A central feature of all models is the individually configurable control systems. No two medical conditions are alike, and no two motor impairments are identical. For many users, the wheelchair is far more than just an assistive device—it is a daily companion in everyday life, comparable to what a pair of shoes is for other people. Function and operation must be designed to be equally individual. That is why the electric wheelchairs can be flexibly adapted—from the classic R-Net control with a joystick, through chin or head controls, to complex custom solutions with picker buttons and other individually developed control elements.

Attendant controls can also be integrated into all models, for example, when operation from behind by an attendant is required. These control concepts are developed in close consultation with therapists and specialized centers and are precisely tailored to the respective needs. The result is not a mass-produced product, but a customized solution.

Nationwide service expertise

Technology alone is not enough. Personal support is crucial. Seven field representatives support rehabilitation centers, social pediatric centers, and medical supply stores nationwide, organize trials, and provide on-site support—in close collaboration with regional medical supply partners. They are supported by a five-person in-house team in Aichelau , which handles technical planning, quote management, and service coordination.

“Our wheelchairs are designed based on real-world care situations,” explains Stefan Ludwig, Head of Wheelchair Development and Sales at Paravan. “We listen, analyze, and develop solutions that work in the long term—both technically and therapeutically.”

A technological breakthrough in 2008 has given rise to a portfolio that reflects a wide variety of real-life situations. Developed and manufactured in Germany, characterized by a high level of technical sophistication and a commitment to rethinking mobility—for a self-determined life.

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