Vantage Mobility International Introduces ParkSmart™
A Patented Revolutionary Parking Solution for Wheelchair Users
Watch this video to see how it works!
Phoenix, Arizona (November 20, 2020) – Vantage Mobility International (VMI), a leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs), unveiled its revolutionary ParkSmart™ feature (patented) at Abilities Expo’s Abilities Virtual Experience. ParkSmart is the industry’s first integrated vehicle sensor designed to alert other drivers and individuals when they create an obstruction to a wheelchair users’ vehicle, preventing access to or deployment of the user’s wheelchair ramp.
Getting blocked in by a vehicle that’s parked too close or an object that’s placed next to a parked accessible vehicle, such as a shopping cart, is a common problem for wheelchair users. With input from customers around the country, VMI set about to develop solutions, starting with the ParkSmart playing cards that were introduced last year. The goal of the ParkSmart playing cards was to help educate the public about parking etiquette. VMI also produced a parking video to provide parking tips for accessible vehicle drivers. Now, with the introduction of the new ParkSmart alert system, VMI continues its mission to help solve parking issues for wheelchair users everywhere.
ParkSmart is a built-in sensor that is easily activated by the vehicle owner as needed. When the sensor is switched on, it goes to work within 30 seconds after the doors are shut, scanning for objects placed within 8 feet of the parked accessible vehicle. If an obstruction is detected, a friendly audible warning sounds, stating “Excuse me! You’re blocking entry to this wheelchair accessible vehicle. Could you please move the vehicle or object so the owner can access their vehicle? Thank you so much!” This friendly alert system will repeat three times and has multiple measures to enable battery conservation, as well as to avoid activating the alert when the vehicle is in drive mode.
“We strive to understand the challenges that our customers face whenever we embark on new product innovations,” Said Mark Shaughnessy, CEO of Vantage Mobility International. “Our goal is to solve for the problems that create challenges for customers. This approach to designing wheelchair accessible vehicles is what sets VMI apart from other manufacturers.” ParkSmart is an industry first and not available from any other conversion manufacturers in the mobility industry. The patented ParkSmart feature is available in VMI Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica wheelchair vans with Nothstar® in-floor ramp systems as a standard feature.
About VMI
Vantage Mobility International (VMI) is a leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles built on Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Toyota and Honda chassis. The company has advanced the mobility industry for over 33 years with a robust portfolio of accessible vehicle conversions as well as platform lifts. VMI, based in Phoenix, Arizona, is also recognized by one of the leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) for excellence in quality and operating a manufacturing facility which utilizes Six Sigma techniques to employ continuous process improvements to deliver high quality products for personal use and commercial applications. For more information, visit www.vmivans.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Sophia Anderson
Vantage Mobility International
602-859-7944
SophiaA@vantagemobility.com
