A man without arms and legs fulfils his childhood dream
Our client, brand ambassador and motivator Janis McDavid is working with us on a very special project. The aim is to drive full throttle on a race track in a converted steer-by-wire racing car with joystick steering. Not only does this fulfil Janis' childhood dream, but it also encourages other people with physical disabilities. If a man without arms and legs can drive at top speed on a race track in a racing car and still have full control of the vehicle, then people with other physical disabilities can also take courage to put themselves behind the wheel. On the other hand, the application also demonstrates the robustness and at the same time the performance of the existing steer-by-wire technology, which has been used for years to enable people with severe physical disabilities to drive a car.
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With 200 km/h and joystick steering over the race track
The dream of driving a car has always played a major role in Janis McDavid's life. For him, it means freedom to decide for himself where he wants to go and when. But there is much more behind this freedom: "that I am just as equal on the road as everyone else. My disability doesn't matter, it's a great feeling. A good ten years ago, he was able to make this dream come true with a Mercedes Sprinter that was individually adapted for him, and since then he has been on the road 320,000 kilometres without an accident, using only a 4-way joystick and the Space Drive driving and steering system. "As a child, my dream of driving always had something to do with cool sports cars," he says. And it has now come true. Now Janis McDavid could take a seat in a BMW M3, professionally dressed - as prescribed - in a fireproof racing suit and helmet. He mastered a first test at the Hockenheimring with flying colours. Now he is eagerly awaiting his first race, which had to be postponed to spring due to the corona. Then he will hopefully - before the safety car - be able to drive the formation lap in his BMW in a really big race.
Freedom for me is that I am as equal on the street as everyone else. My disability doesn't matter, it's a great feeling.
