BraunAbility

Brand History

Over the past four decades, BraunAbility vehicle mobility solutions have revolutionised what independence means to the disabled community. Since 1972, BraunAbility has been providing vehicle mobility solutions to increase quality of life for people with disabilities. Although BraunAbility was originally founded by Ralph Braun, the several companies collectively known as BraunAbility Europe were also founded by pioneers of the mobility industry:

In 1960, Norman Unwin created the world’s first device to secure a wheelchair into a vehicle at the request of a friend. This invention was a turning point for Norman who then decided to dedicate his life to improving vehicle safety for wheelchair users under Unwin Safety Systems.
Ralph Braun was diagnosed with a fatal form of muscular dystrophy when he was 6 years old. This diagnosis wasn’t fatal, but it was lifelong. In order to keep his job and retain his independence, Ralph designed the world’s first powered scooter. And when his job moved further away, he then renovated a postal Jeep with hand controls and a hydraulic lift. It was only a matter of time after people noticed what he was doing that the requests for orders began pouring in and BraunAbility was born.

In the early 1990’s Peter Wahlsten worked as an adaptation technician and witnessed first-hand how an adapted vehicle could change the life of someone with a disability. Peter’s own company Autoadapt, began designing and manufacturing various mobility solutions that could be installed into cars globally, not just locally.

Martin Christensen owned the Danish company Martech which introduced aluminium flooring in vehicles in order to provide a modular layout of seats as well as various types of tie-downs. The patented solution is now sold all over the world under various licences.

BraunAbility Product Range

BraunAbility’s 4-way boot hoist, the Carolift 100 is slim in design yet powerful enough to lift mobility devices up to 100kg. Operated by a 4-way up/down/in/out hand control, it does all the heavy work for you and stores your mobility device within the boot of your car.

The wheelchair topper is a great solution for both independent drivers and passengers which can lift, stow and retrieve a manual wheelchair in less than 90 seconds.

BraunAbility have also produced a leading range of swivel seats including manual, electronic swivel and lowering and a wheelchair swivel base. These seating systems aid those with varying levels of limited mobility to safely and comfortably transfer into and out of a car.

As well as mobility device stowage and vehicle access, BraunAbility have developed driving aid solutions such as hand controls and pedal extensions.

The highest levels of safety

As a global manufacturer, BraunAbility continuously strives for a higher level of safety within the vehicle adaptation industry. Achieving this through inhouse safety test centres, complying with regulations, providing necessary certifications required by road authorities and car inspection agencies as well as investing heavily in new product development.

Trusted by the Best

BraunAbility share our commitment to service, quality and innovation. We’re proud to be the exclusive distributor helping bring some of the very best products to the UK.

BraunAbility is proud to collaborate with some of the largest car manufacturers in the world. In Germany, Mercedes-Benz offers the Turny Evo as a factory installed option, Ford has awarded BraunAbility as a Qualified Vehicle Manufacturer and Volkswagen declared a Letter of No Obligation to prove BraunAbility meets their high standards.