Phil Schlangen, a resident of Minneapolis, has limited mobility in his legs and arms because of a bad diving accident right after high school. For his every day commute, he used to use a ramp to get in and out of his car but because of an accident – in which he fell backwards and hurt his head, he stopped using one. After a few years, Phil, a mechanical engineer by profession, came up with a creative system to get in and out of his car easily without the need of a ramp.

The system, called Kneeling Air Suspension (KAS), uses air shocks to lift and lower a vehicle completely to the ground with a remote control. Phil implemented KAS in a Chevy Silverado he bought six years ago which he also modified by removing the driver’s seat to make more room for his wheelchair, and installing a special steering wheel. Phil has spent $25,000 of his own money on his vehicle so far, and is hoping that he can find a partner that will help him lower costs and bring KAS to more people with disabilities. He also has a website where anyone interested in a “Drop Down Truck” (or car, van) can send him a message. The more people he gets, the better chances are of him getting his design in front of a manufacturer.

Watch the video below to see how KAS works in Phil’s Silverado, and to learn more about the KAS system.

Source: CBS Minnesota

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