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To meet the changing demands placed on the industry by vehicle manufacturers, the design team at PME have developed an exclusive Knee Intrusion Air-bag Compatible Hand Control System

Until now, vehicle modifiers for the disabled have been unable to install hand controls into vehicles with Knee Intrusion Air-bags, and as a result, hand control  users have had a further restricted choice of vehicle. This is because it is necessary for the hand controls to run below the dash, and right across the air-bag, making them a hazard should the air-bag deploy. As increasing numbers of vehicle manufacturers are incorporating these air-bags as standard safety features to improve the safety rating of their vehicles, the flip side is that hand control users have been limited in their range of choices among new vehicles.

PME have seen and met the need to develop a Hand Control System that is compatible with these vehicles to uphold our promise that "There hasn't been a vehicle we couldn't modify yet!" and to allow our customers the freedom to choose from a wider range of vehicles. The system successfully bypasses the problem and  satisfies current RTA requirements. However,we still advise that customers avoid vehicles fitted with Knee Intrusion Airbags as unfortunately this system comes at an extra cost. Please discuss your intentions with us before purchasing a vehicle with these Air-bags.

Read more about this system here on our hand controls page

Source: PME

Posted: Tuesday 25th May, 2010

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On Monday 23rd of November, PME ran an event at our factory on ‘Driving with a Disability’.

You can read the details of this event in the news article from December 2009 below. 

Check out these videos of our clients that were there on the day.

Source: PME

Posted: Tuesday 4th May, 2010

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A Polaris RZR 4x4 modified with electronic mobility controls has been sent into outback NSW

The owner of this Polaris RZR 4x4 was assessed by PME and its Space Drive team to enable him to operate his vehicle with electronic mobility controls. Following the assessment we custom configured his vehicle with 6 inch mini-wheel for steering which is operated with the left hand and a two way accelerator and brake lever operated with the right hand. The whole system was fitted to the passenger side of the vehicle which still allowed for able-bodied persons to operate the Polaris in it's standard configuration. The whole engineering process for this conversion was quite a challenge. We are happy to advise that the owner is now using the vehicle as his mobility tool to access the family's property of 160000 acres located in outback NSW. You could imagine how a machine like this would impact on his life in such a big area. Everyone that was involved in this conversion wishes the owner all the best and happy motoring with his new wheels.  

Source: PME

Posted: Tuesday 4th May, 2010

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Anthony, sports car fan and paraplegic, has allegedly been turned away from a cruise event due to his disability

Anthony came to us after becoming paraplegic in a dirt bike accident in 2008. We installed an accelerator ring and custom brake hand assisted driving control system on his HSV V8 Maloo ute which was later supercharged. These are the same controls PME installed on racing legend, Win Percy's Jaguar XF, which he raced while he was in Australia. Anthony breezed through his training and assessments and received his driver’s license.

On 28th February 2010 he attended a motor vehicle cruise event ‘Powercruise’ for the purpose of entering the event as a driver. The conditions of entry are that “All drivers must be minimum of 18 years of age”, “hold a current drivers licence” and “Entered vehicles must be road registered, unregistered vehicles at Promoter’s discretion”. His vehicle is registered and engineered. 

Anthony, however, was apparently refused a place in the event due to his use of hand controls. This was allegedly due to an accident in Darwin involving a paraplegic using hand controls. Anthony later called the promoter to discuss options for next year’s event and was met with alleged yelling and abuse. The conclusion made from this conversation was that apparently nothing would change for next year’s event and that users of hand controls would continue to be barred.

Understandably, Anthony is unhappy with how he was treated considering the expense, time and effort put into attending this event only to be turned away apparently without the promoter even talking with him or viewing his vehicle. Also understandable is the promoter’s right to discretion and his unwillingness to take further risk upon himself when he doesn’t even understand the controls that Anthony is using.

This is a matter of equal rights however and, as Anthony has proven himself a capable driver in the same way as every other driver on the day by having his driver’s license, it does not seem fair that he has allegedly been discriminated against because of his disability.

Please ensure that if you do plan to attend similar events, you call event organizers prior to the day to make sure that you will be allowed to participate and so that they can make any necessary arrangements for you.

Anthony has taken his case to the Australian Human Rights Commission. If you would like to show your support for Anthony, join his Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10150114196980179&ref=ts

Source: PME

Posted: Tuesday 16th March, 2010

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After this Can-am Spyder was modified by PME, the owner decided that it needed some second stage modifications to take its killer looks and performance to the next level. 

Anthony came out to the workshop today to give us a look at his now fully custom Can-am Spyder. Despite its flash new paint job, we heard this beast coming before we saw it thanks to its new exhaust system that releases the full rumble of the v-twin engine. When we did see it, however, we were blown away. 

The paint job has a transformers theme modelled from Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots in the movie. It features red and blue flames and plenty of other airbrushing to realistically simulate vents, fins and other radical styling taken from the giant robot. This Spyder also features new wheels and handle grips to finish off the custom look. The cnc machined brake lever and footplates we installed still fit in quite well with the bike's styling despite all these changes. 

You really have to see this one of a kind vehicle for yourself. View the gallery for pictures of Anthony's wild Can-am Spyder.

 Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery Gallery

Click here to find out more about the conversion kit

Click here for the full story

Source: PME

Posted: Wednesday 26th August, 2009

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The guys at PME will be taking a well deserved break over the holiday season

We will be taking a short break from Tuesday 22nd December and we will be reopening with a skeleton staff from Monday 11th January 2010 with full operations returning Monday 18th of January.

Problem Management Engineering wishes you a happy holiday season.

Source: PME