Citroën presents “Ami for All” to offer a solution for Disabled People
A project developed in conjunction with PIMAS, an expert in the conversion of vehicles for Persons with Reduced Mobility. This project will be shown at the Autonomic trade fair in Paris, being held at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center from 6 to 8 June 2023.
This prototype is designed to be driven by Disabled People who no longer have the use of at least one lower limb, particularly those in wheelchairs. It incorporates technical developments such as an increased door opening angle, equipment for the transfer from wheelchair to seat (board and straps), mechanical and manual control for accelerating and braking, a knob on the steering wheel to make driving easier, and a clever solution to transport the wheelchair inside or outside the cabin.
With “Ami for All”, Citroën gives back independence to those who have lost it, with an affordable electric mobility solution that does not require a driving licence. “Ami for All” offers an easy way to lead an active life and integrate socially without depending on a third party to accompany them or using public transport with its unpredictable timetables and access.
“Ami for All is perfectly in line with the Ami philosophy: to offer a practical response to access to mobility for all. Ami has reintroduced ease of movement to micro-journeys and given more independence to teenagers, the elderly and those without a driving licence. We are delighted to present this technical solution to support the mobility of Disabled People and we are working to make this project achievable in the short term.” Thierry Koskas – Citroën CEO
ACCESSIBLE AND PRACTICAL, “AMI for ALL” BRINGS MORE AUTONOMY
Because of its accessibility and ease of use, “Ami for All” is unrivalled in what it offers to Disabled People. It is a real factor in social integration, giving mobility and independence to people who are currently restricted in their daily lives.
An appropriate response to a solution that is currently lacking
“Ami for All” is a particularly effective way of giving back their independence to Disabled People, especially those who have lost the use of their legs and need a wheelchair. This concerns 1% of the world’s population. It is a safe, comfortable, compact and agile solution that allows them to get around from the age of 14, even if they don’t have a driving licence.
Genesis
The genesis of this project is symbolic: it comes from the Star*up programme, an idea incubator enabling Stellantis employees to submit their innovative ideas. If the proposal is selected, the employee has the opportunity to take part in the business accelerator, where ideas can become reality. The meeting between Christophe Lapeyre, the man behind the project, and Citroën around a common vision happened very naturally.
“The project I shared in 2022 was to offer a turnkey solution for adapting disabled people’s journeys to the electric challenge. The idea came to me after observing pupils at my step-son’s high school being dependent on transfers in adapted vehicles while their classmates enjoyed total freedom. In addition to the societal challenges, identifying technical and industrial solutions was a particularly motivating challenge. With Citroën, I immediately found a sponsor who believed in me and supported me in the development of the project” – Christophe Lapeyre, ”Ami for All” project leader.
Ami: the ideal mobility solution
Ami is the ideal tool for improving daily life and contributing to greater independence. It encourages Disabled People to drive actively, within a controlled budget, and avoids the complexity of adapted transport or public transportation, so that they can remain active participants in their own mobility and enjoy direct autonomy.
Its compact size makes it agile and easy to park and ensures there’s plenty of room around it to manoeuvre a wheelchair. Its height also makes it easier to climb into. With a speed of up to 45km/h, it is easy to handle and its range of 75km makes it perfect for everyday use. It is stable and closed, guaranteeing greater safety and comfort.
“Ami for All” is as easy to use as any other everyday electrical appliance. It requires no special charger and recharging is quick and easy. Its 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, housed flat under the floor, can be easily recharged via the on-board electric cable located in the passenger-side doorway. Once the cable is plugged in, it takes less than four hours to fully charge using a conventional 220 V socket.
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