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 Primary Driving Controls – AEVIT™ by EMC

Different Ways to Steer, Accelerate & Brake

The steering wheel and pedals are the primary controls in a conventional vehicle. High-tech adaptive driving equipment provides different ways to perform those same essential functions.

With AEVIT™ from Electronic Mobility Controls (EMC), steering, acceleration, and braking can be configured around the movements a driver can comfortably and consistently perform.

That doesn’t mean every driver uses the same control—or even operates each function in the same way.

Let’s look at the options.

Joystick Driving Controls

A joystick can bring steering, acceleration, and braking together in a single control.

Instead of moving between a steering wheel and separate gas and brake controls, the driver uses movements of the joystick to send commands to the vehicle.

Depending on the configuration, the system can translate relatively small movements into the steering, acceleration, and braking response needed to operate the vehicle.

One of the advantages of a joystick system is its ability to combine multiple driving functions into one control. The exact movement, positioning, and configuration can then be matched to the driver’s abilities.

Electronic Gas & Brake Controls

A driver may be able to steer effectively but need an alternative way to operate the accelerator and brake.

Electronic gas and brake controls allow those functions to be operated by hand rather than through the vehicle’s foot pedals.

Because the system electronically controls acceleration and braking, the driver does not have to physically push the factory pedals through their normal range of movement.

These controls can be paired with an appropriate steering setup, allowing the steering and gas/brake portions of the system to be configured separately.

Reduced-Effort Steering

Some drivers can use a steering wheel but have difficulty with the amount of strength required to turn a conventional steering system.

Reduced-effort steering decreases the physical effort required to steer the vehicle.

This allows the driver to maintain a familiar steering motion while the adapted steering system provides additional assistance.

Different configurations can provide different levels of steering assistance based on the driver’s needs.

Primary Controls Can Be Mixed and Matched

This is one of the most important things to understand about high-tech driving equipment:

The system doesn’t have to be one prepackaged setup.

One driver might use reduced-effort steering with electronic hand-operated acceleration and braking.

Another might operate all three primary functions through a joystick.

Another configuration may combine specialized steering with a different gas and brake interface.

The individual components can work together to create a driving setup designed around how that particular driver operates the vehicle.

Small Adjustments Can Make a Big Difference

With primary driving controls, placement and response matter.

The position of a control can affect reach and comfort. The amount of movement required can affect how easily the driver operates it. Steering and control response may also need to be configured appropriately for the driver.

That’s why high-tech controls aren’t simply installed and considered finished.

As the driver begins using the system, the equipment may be fine-tuned based on how the driver interacts with it.

Sometimes relatively small adjustments can make a significant difference in how natural and consistent the controls feel.

What About the Regular Steering Wheel & Pedals?

Installing AEVIT does not necessarily mean giving up the vehicle’s conventional controls.

An AEVIT-equipped vehicle can retain the factory steering wheel and pedals so an able-bodied driver can operate the vehicle using the standard controls.

This can be especially important when a vehicle is shared with a spouse, family member, caregiver, or another driver.

Your specific installation determines how the conventional and adaptive controls work together.

Primary Controls vs. Secondary Controls

An easy way to remember the difference is:

Primary controls make the vehicle move and steer.

They control:

  • Steering
  • Acceleration
  • Braking

Secondary controls operate the other functions needed while driving, such as:

  • Turn signals
  • Headlights
  • Windshield wipers
  • Horn

Keeping these functions separate allows each part of the adaptive driving system to be configured around the driver’s needs.

Explore Secondary Driving Controls

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. A joystick configuration can combine steering, acceleration, and braking into one primary driving control.

Other configurations separate those functions, such as using reduced-effort steering with a separate electronic gas and brake control.

No. AEVIT can support different primary driving configurations.

A joystick is one option, but depending on the driver's needs, the system may use reduced-effort steering, electronic gas and brake controls, or another recommended configuration.

They allow acceleration and braking to be operated without requiring the driver to physically depress the vehicle's factory pedals.

They can also be combined with a separate steering solution so each primary driving function can be adapted appropriately.

Reduced-effort steering decreases the amount of physical strength required to turn and control the steering wheel.

It can allow someone who can perform the steering motion—but has difficulty with the resistance of a conventional steering system—to use a steering wheel with additional assistance.

Control positioning is an important part of an adaptive driving setup. Reach, available movement, seating position, and the other equipment in the vehicle can all affect where a control is positioned.

Depending on the equipment and configuration, adjustments may be possible.

If training or continued use identifies a need for changes, the CDRS and R & R Mobility can determine whether the equipment should be repositioned, adjusted, or reconfigured.

AEVIT can allow the vehicle's conventional steering wheel and pedals to remain available for another driver.

R & R Mobility can explain exactly how the standard and adaptive controls operate with your particular installation.

Your primary controls are based on a professional driving evaluation rather than simply selecting a control from a list.

We've created a separate guide explaining that entire process—from the initial CDRS evaluation through vehicle review, installation, driver training, equipment adjustments, and final approval.

Talk With R & R Mobility

The right primary driving controls depend on how you need to steer, accelerate, and brake. Once those needs have been evaluated, R & R Mobility can install and configure the recommended AEVIT equipment for your vehicle.

Have questions about joystick controls, electronic gas and brake controls, or reduced-effort steering? Our team is here to help.

Schedule a Consultation