Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc.
1780 Executive Dr., Oconomowoc
Industry: Independent living devices for vehicles
Innovation: The Chariot, a lifting device for small and mid-sized vehicles
For a person who uses a motor scooter or power wheelchair to get around, independence is everything. The ability to shop, go for a stroll, or visit the grandchildren are tasks made easier by a powered device. But for some, transporting the wheelchair or scooter is the biggest challenge.
To address that challenge, Oconomowoc-based Bruno Independent Living Aids created the Chariot, a chair lift device for small and mid-sized vehicles.
Previously, people who had recently become disabled were often forced to turn in their smaller vehicles for a more spacious vehicle like a van or an SUV to transport their wheelchair or scooter, says Andrew Bayer, a product manager in Bruno’s automotive division.
That need puts a financial burden on wheel1chair owners who may also still have to purchase expensive, and perhaps unsafe, lift systems to get their devices in their vehicle.
Many wheelchair lift systems can cause problems for vehicles. With a wheelchair attached, standard lift systems can add up to 300 lbs. of weight to the back of a mid-size vehicle leaving the wheels unbalanced, Bayer said.
The Chariot is attached to a car’s receiver hitch and uses swivel wheels to shoulder the chair’s weight. This allows the vehicle to remain level and avoids the dreaded “jackknifing,” that occurs with trailers and other lift systems, Bayer said.
Previously wheelchair users were stuck with inferior, less safe vehicle lifts, Bayer said.
“The Chariot allows them to have a whole new lease on life,” he said. “It’s a piece of mind device.”
Bruno developed the Chariot over a period of five years, bringing engineers in direct contact with consumers and using market research to perfect the product. Just recently placed on the market, Bruno has sold hundreds of the lifts at industry tradeshows, and to more than 900 retailers worldwide.
