“The new steering adjustment is a dream.” 

Marcus has relied on PARAVAN solutions for many years. Now, he drives a new, customized vehicle equipped with the digital Space Drive driving and steering system, as well as modern assistance systems that provide even greater safety.

For Marcus from Upper Franconia, mobility means one thing above all else: freedom. It means the freedom to participate in social life, get to work, and visit his family — independently, autonomously, and safely. For nearly a decade, Marcus, a working wheelchair user, has relied on vehicle solutions from PARAVAN. He recently took delivery of his second adapted vehicle: a Hyundai Staria equipped with Space Drive digital driving and control technology and numerous assistance systems.

What does mobility mean to Marcus?

"Mobility is the only freedom I can enjoy in the same way as other people, despite my disability." With this statement, Marcus sums up what individual mobility means for people with disabilities. As a wheelchair user, he relies on technical assistance and is also a passionate driver. He has been on the road since 2002, initially with a mechanically converted Mercedes Vito — still equipped with linear lever steering, manual gas and brake levers, and no electronics. "It was even more of a struggle back then," he recalls. In 2015, he switched to PARAVAN. Without a digital driving and steering system like Space Drive, driving the vehicle safely would have been almost impossible at that time. "That was my first vehicle with Space Drive — it made a lot of things easier," Marcus reports. At the time, the VW T5 was subsidized by the employment office as a commuting vehicle. Since then, he has been commuting 80 kilometers every day, to and from work through a rural area with no bus or train connections.

Technology meets precision: the new Hyundai Staria

The new vehicle significantly improves Marcus's mobility solution and, most importantly, makes it more comfortable. The PARAVAN Hyundai Staria impresses with its modern design and high-quality technical equipment. It includes a 360-degree camera, blind spot assist, a rearview camera, voice control, and digital radio (DAB+).
Thanks to the Space Drive digital driving and steering system, the vehicle is operated as usual via a rotary steering wheel on the right-hand side and an accelerator/brake slider. Access is barrier-free via a cassette lift. Marcus drives his active wheelchair into the vehicle and secures it to the floor using the Easy Log system — his wheelchair also serves as the driver's seat.
A custom-made, individually adjusted backrest, specially developed for his needs, provides additional support. "It's like being on a roller coaster," Marcus says, describing the feeling. "Without tipping forward or falling out of my seat on turns — because I have limited upper body muscle strength. Now I'm securely fastened in place."
"I drive faster and more safely now than I did with my old vehicle."
After a brief adjustment period, Marcus noticed a clear difference compared to his previous vehicle. "The new steering adjustment is a dream. I wish I'd had it in my T5," he says. "I now drive faster and more safely than I did with the old vehicle. The driving experience is more pleasant, too.” Despite facing some challenges during the adjustment phase, the PARAVAN team did not give up. “At first, I was anxious about whether it would work well with my disability. But the staff tried out all the details until it worked, and now I drive safely.” Operating the secondary functions has also become much easier in the new vehicle. Where numerous buttons or a bleeper were previously used, the PARAVAN Touch and the new PARAVAN voice control are now at his disposal. These allow him to conveniently control up to 99 vehicle functions, including turn signals, lights, and even the sun visor. “I didn't have voice control before; I had a bleeper,” Marcus recalls. "I'm still using that at the moment. I first have to read up on it and learn all the voice commands.”

A clear statement of individual mobility.

After driving several hundred kilometers in his new vehicle, Marcus shares his initial impressions and expresses his gratitude. "Now that I've driven 2,500 kilometers, I'd like to thank you all once again. The solution is perfect, and I feel safe on the road every day."