Kenguru Wheelchair-Accessible EV | Translogic

Autoblog

11 Jun 201205:16

Summary

TLDRTranslogic explores Kenguru, an electric car designed for wheelchair users, offering greater mobility and independence. Stacy Zorn, who has a disability, founded the company after discovering the vehicle online. Kenguru has a top speed of 25 mph, a 60-mile range, and takes eight hours to charge. The car has received a positive reception worldwide, with a long waiting list and financial incentives to help with the purchase. Future plans include a joystick-driven model for easier operation and accommodating larger wheelchairs.

Takeaways

🚗 The video introduces a company called Kenguru, which aims to provide more freedom for wheelchair users by offering a specialized vehicle.
🦘 The name 'Kangaroo' is derived from the company's focus on providing a 'leap' in mobility for wheelchair users.
💡 The idea for Kenguru came from Stacy Zorn's personal experience with disability and the limitations of existing transportation options.
🚐 Stacy's initial encounter with a modified van that was expensive and ultimately totaled led to the concept of Kenguru.
💻 After researching online, Stacy found the Kangaroo vehicle and decided to help the company that was struggling financially.
💰 With Stacy's involvement, they successfully raised the necessary funds to keep the company afloat and develop the vehicle.
🔧 The Kenguru vehicle has a top speed of 25 miles per hour, a range of 60 miles, and takes eight hours to fully charge.
🛠️ The vehicle features a spacious interior, simple controls, and a handlebar steering setup, making it accessible for wheelchair users.
🌍 Reception to the Kenguru has been positive, with the vehicle being showcased at trade shows worldwide and a growing waitlist.
💼 Financial incentives at both federal and state levels, as well as vocational rehabilitation programs, help reduce the cost of the vehicle for potential buyers.
🔮 Future plans for Kenguru include developing a joystick-driven model to accommodate larger wheelchairs and make operation easier for those with less upper body strength.
📈 Despite the high demand and interest, Kenguru is currently facing a funding challenge that is preventing them from meeting the market demand for their vehicles.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Translogic show?
-The Translogic show typically covers transportation that is related to convenience and efficiencies.
Why did Stacy Zorn start the Kinguru project?
-Stacy Zorn, who has been in a wheelchair her entire life, started the Kinguru project to provide more freedom and mobility options for wheelchair users.
What was the initial challenge Stacy faced when she tried to drive a modified van?
-Stacy faced a significant financial challenge when her modified van, which cost $80,000, was totaled after only a few months of ownership.
How did Stacy come across the Kangaroo technology?
-Stacy discovered the Kangaroo technology online after searching for advancements in technology that could improve transportation options for wheelchair users.
What was the state of the Kangaroo company when Stacy first learned about it?
-The Kangaroo company was in a precarious financial situation, having lost their bank loan due to the economic crash and was in the process of fundraising.
How long did it take for Kinguru to go from an idea to a fully operational car company?
-It took a little over two years for Kinguru to transition from an idea to a car company with 10 employees and a functioning fleet of vehicles.
What are the basic specifications of the Kinguru vehicle?
-The Kinguru vehicle has a top speed of 25 miles per hour, can travel for 60 miles on a single charge, and takes eight hours to fully charge. It features two 2-kilowatt motors and a rear-wheel drive setup.
How does the interior of the Kinguru vehicle accommodate wheelchair users?
-The interior of the Kinguru vehicle is spacious, providing plenty of room for the driver's elbows and a dashboard with an LED readout for various measurements.
What is the reception like for the Kinguru vehicle in the market?
-The reception for the Kinguru vehicle has been fantastic, with positive responses from trade shows around the world and a growing waitlist of interested buyers.
What incentives are available for people to purchase the Kinguru vehicle?
-There are green incentives at both federal and state levels because the vehicle is electric, as well as vocational rehabilitation incentives, which can significantly reduce the cost of the vehicle for eligible buyers.
What are the future plans for the Kinguru vehicle?
-The company plans to develop a joystick-driven model that will be larger to accommodate bigger wheelchairs and easier to drive for people with less upper body strength.
What is the current challenge for Kinguru in terms of expansion?
-The current challenge for Kinguru is funding; they have a high demand for their vehicles but do not have enough capital to purchase the inventory needed to build more cars.
How does the Kinguru vehicle enhance the mobility of wheelchair users?
-The Kinguru vehicle offers great mobility with easy entry and exit, a cool and functional design, and an affordable price, making it an attractive option for wheelchair users.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Innovative Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle

The script introduces the Kenguru, a vehicle designed to provide more freedom to wheelchair users. The host, Bradley Hazemeyer, meets Stacy Zorn from Community Cars to discuss the origins of Kenguru. Stacy, who has a disability and has been in a wheelchair all her life, found the Kenguru online after a failed attempt at driving a modified van. She discovered the company was struggling financially and decided to help raise the necessary funds. The vehicle is electric, with a top speed of 25 mph, a range of 60 miles, and can be fully charged in eight hours. It features a spacious interior, a simple control setup with a handlebar steering wheel, and is rear-wheel drive. The Kenguru has been well-received at trade shows worldwide, with a growing waitlist and potential buyers from various countries. There are financial incentives at both federal and state levels to help people purchase the vehicle, which can significantly reduce its cost.

05:02

🔜 Future Developments and Challenges for Kenguru

The script concludes with a look at the future of Kenguru, which includes plans to develop a joystick-driven model to accommodate larger wheelchairs and be easier to drive for those with less upper body strength. The company is currently facing a positive challenge of not being able to meet the high demand due to a lack of funding for inventory. There are dealers in Germany, Spain, and the US interested in selling Kenguru, but the company needs more capital to produce more vehicles. Stacy, who is still waiting for the joystick model herself, expresses hope for the future and the potential of Kenguru to change lives by providing an affordable and empowering transportation option for wheelchair users.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Kangaroo

Kangaroo is the name of the electric vehicle company featured in the video, which specializes in providing mobility solutions for wheelchair users. The company's name is symbolic, as kangaroos are known for their ability to move quickly and efficiently despite their large size. In the script, the Kangaroo vehicle is described as an affordable and empowering option that helps wheelchair users gain more freedom in their transportation.

💡Wheelchair

A wheelchair is a mobility aid used by individuals who are unable to walk or have difficulty with mobility. In the video, the primary focus is on the limited transportation options available to wheelchair users and how the Kangaroo vehicle addresses this issue. The script mentions that many wheelchair users have spent their entire adult lives dependent on others for transportation, highlighting the importance of accessible and convenient mobility solutions.

💡Transportation

Transportation refers to the movement of people or goods from one place to another. In the context of the video, it specifically addresses the challenges faced by wheelchair users in finding convenient and efficient transportation options. The script discusses how traditional transportation methods often limit the independence of wheelchair users, and how the Kangaroo vehicle offers a solution to overcome these limitations.

💡Mobility

Mobility is the ability to move or be moved freely and easily. The video emphasizes the importance of mobility for wheelchair users and how the Kangaroo vehicle enhances their freedom of movement. The script describes the vehicle's features, such as its spacious interior and easy maneuverability, which contribute to the user's overall mobility.

💡Electric Vehicle

An electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle that is powered by an electric motor and typically uses rechargeable batteries for energy storage. The Kangaroo vehicle is an electric vehicle, as mentioned in the script, which is significant because it offers an environmentally friendly transportation option for wheelchair users. The script also mentions incentives for purchasing electric vehicles at the federal and state level.

💡Incentives

Incentives are rewards or benefits offered to encourage certain actions or behaviors. In the video, incentives are mentioned as a way to make the Kangaroo vehicle more affordable for potential buyers. The script explains that there are green incentives at the federal and state level for electric vehicles, as well as vocational rehabilitation incentives, which can significantly reduce the cost of the vehicle.

💡Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational rehabilitation refers to the process of helping individuals with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. In the context of the video, vocational rehabilitation incentives are mentioned as one of the ways to assist people in purchasing the Kangaroo vehicle, which can be used to facilitate employment by improving mobility.

💡Accessibility

Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The Kangaroo vehicle is designed with accessibility in mind, as it is specifically tailored to the needs of wheelchair users. The script highlights the vehicle's spacious interior and easy entry and exit, which are crucial features for ensuring accessibility.

💡Startup Company

A startup company is a newly established business that is in the initial stages of its operations. The Kangaroo vehicle is developed by a startup company, as mentioned in the script. The company faces the challenge of not being able to meet the high demand for its vehicles due to funding limitations, which is a common issue for many startups as they scale their operations.

💡Joystick

A joystick is a control column that pivots on a base and is used to control the direction or position of something, such as a vehicle or a computer cursor. The video mentions that the Kangaroo company is developing a joystick-driven model of their vehicle, which will be easier to operate for people with less upper body strength. This feature exemplifies the company's commitment to enhancing accessibility and ease of use for its users.

💡Fundraising

Fundraising is the process of collecting capital from various sources, typically for a specific project or cause. In the script, fundraising is mentioned as the initial step taken by the Kangaroo company to secure the necessary funds to start their operations. The successful fundraising effort allowed the company to develop their vehicle and grow to the point where they now have a waiting list of interested buyers.

Highlights

Translogic covers transportation solutions for wheelchair users, focusing on convenience and efficiency.

Kangaroo, a company that offers more freedom for wheelchair users, is introduced.

Stacy Zorn, from Community Cars, shares her personal experience with disabilities and the inspiration behind Kinguru.

Kangaroo was discovered by Zorn online after a 14-year gap in accessible transportation technology.

The company behind Kangaroo was struggling financially, prompting Zorn to help raise funds.

In just two years, Kinguru has grown to a fully operational car company with 10 employees.

Kangaroo's vehicle specifications include a top speed of 25 mph, 60-mile range, and an 8-hour full charge time.

The vehicle features a spacious interior, simple controls, and a handlebar steering setup.

Kangaroo has received positive reception at trade shows worldwide and has a growing waitlist.

Financial incentives at federal and state levels, as well as vocational rehabilitation programs, help reduce the cost of the vehicle.

Kangaroo's current challenges include meeting the high demand due to limited funding for inventory.

Future plans for Kinguru include developing a joystick-driven model to accommodate larger wheelchairs and users with less upper body strength.

International interest in Kinguru is high, with dealers in Germany, Spain, and the US eager to sign up.

The company is currently seeking funding to expand production and meet the global demand for its vehicles.

Kangaroo is not only an affordable option but also an empowering one, providing wheelchair users with greater mobility and independence.

The story of Kinguru is an inspiring example of American innovation with the potential to change lives.