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SmartDrive is the latest addition to the company`s recently launched Smart range of vehicle adaptation devices. Developed for people who are not able to operate their foot pedals, this latest product is a push-pull control that has been designed for the hand operation of the brake and accelerator pedal in automatic vehicles.

The SmartDrive system is a simple control which is mounted on the right side of the steering wheel. The operation is really simple, the control is pushed forward to apply the brake and pulled backwards to accelerate.

What makes SmartDrive different from most other push-pull devices is both the comfort and control it offers.
Comfort because there are no bars that knees can hit whilst driving or getting out of the car, making for a more pleasant driving experience. Also with SmartDrive the brackets attached to the foot pedals are positioned high up on the pedal arm so that the driver does not hit their feet on them!

Control because SmartDrive is tailor made for each particular vehicle and with installation from Autochair this ensures the fitment is at the optimum level to suit the driver.

An integral safety feature of the SmartDrive is the control rods which are fitted inside the steering column, allowing the knee airbag to activate, where fitted. However, on many push-pull models on the market today the rods are on the outside so the airbags have to be deactivated, leaving the drivers safety compromised. SmartDrive is also connected directly to the brake and accelerator pedal with sliding rods, facilitating the push-pull mechanism and eliminating the possibility of stretching or fraying that could develop with cable systems.

As an additional feature for drivers that struggle with the standard indicator lever on the steering wheel, there is the option to have the indicator switch built into SmartDrive. Once again this puts the driver in control of the vehicle as they can operate either the left or right indicators without taking their hands off the steering wheel.

Priced from £480 SmartDrive is both Motability accredited and NMEDA approved.

Commenting on the new SmartDrive Control, Felicity Atkin, Marketing Manager at Autochair says, “We believe SmartDrive offers a much more comfortable driving experience than any other push-pull devices on the market. We are confident that it will significantly improve the freedom and flexibility of drivers in their own vehicles. It has been designed so that once adapted the vehicle can be driven conventionally at any time by other drivers, without the need to remove the adaptations.”