Research & Development wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV)

Thanks to a large team of automotive engineers, B-Style delivers the best conversion kits on the market. As new vehicles are constantly being introduced and the current kits are continuously being improved, there is always work to be done. That makes engineering at B-Style a fantastic challenge, and we are proud of our people who make it happen.

Table of contents

Designing and innovating
From drawing board to the real world
In-house test facilities
Light and strong
Quick installation
Cost-efficient design
Homologation
Ergonomic and user-friendly

Designing and innovating

The wishes of the passengers and conversion companies are paramount in the development of a conversion kit. Issues such as more interior space, light and intuitive operation, easy entry, reliable technology and beautiful workmanship are our primary concerns when developing or improving any conversion kit. All the innovations are then developed with 3D CAD modelling software, in which the wishes and ideas are worked out in detail.

From drawing board to the real world

In addition to modelling software, B-Style also has a workshop. All the designed components are also physically tested. Our focus here is quality, ease of use, appearance and installation speed. Take a ramp or its latching system, for example. The person who designed the component also physically tests the developed component. This ensures that our engineers maintain a practical mindset and experience for themselves what our conversion partners experience. As a result, the conversion kits keep getting better and better. Ultimately, a prototype of each model is built, in which all the components form a whole. Everything we sell has been thoroughly tested.

In-house test facilities

In most cases, what we do in-house, and sometimes on location, includes tensile strength and load tests. B-Style has the equipment necessary to do this. The components and selected materials are tested for strength and durability. In order to qualify for a European Type Approval, B-Style's own test results are verified by an independent authority, the RDW. Endurance tests are also carried out, to determine how long a particular closure or ramp will last. This allows B-Style to guarantee that, even with intensive use, your adapted vehicle will last for many years to come.

Testcenter

Light and strong

In order to meet all the safety requirements, all components must be manufactured to the highest possible standard. In order to keep the vehicle economical, conversion kits may not be too heavy. The use of exotic materials, such as carbon fibre, is not an option, because we want to keep the conversion kits affordable for customers. B-Style is very proud of its engineers, who use the materials as efficiently as possible, making the conversion kits are both light and strong.

Quick installation

B-Style conversion kits are known for their quick installation time. This is achieved in various ways, such as pre-assembling certain components, minimizing the number of components and providing clear step-by-step instructions. For the conversion partner, this means lower labour costs per vehicle and the ability to convert more vehicles in the same amount of time. B-Style has been developing mobility solutions since 1973. These decades of knowledge and the continuous improvement of the designs have resulted in an exceptionally low installation time.

Cost-efficient design

Of course, price is also a factor that wheelchair users consider at the time of purchase. This is why B-Style's engineers keep an eye on the costs in addition to quality, safety and user-friendliness. They do this by standardizing where possible: using something that works well in one conversion kit on another. The quick installation time also saves the conversion company a lot of time.

Homologation

The B-Style R&D department takes care of all the paperwork needed to register the vehicle, through what is called ‘homologation’. This is the approval of a series of products. In the case of vehicles, this concerns a series of the same vehicles, all of which meet the same standard. After homologation, these vehicles are allowed on the road.

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Ergonomic and user-friendly

All the modifications are as ergonomic and user-friendly as possible. Examples include a touchscreen for operating the wheelchair restraint system in the floor for the wheelchair buses, B-FiT, and the lightest possible operation of the ramp through use of a gas spring for the wheelchair vans, B-Active. We believe the user's experience should be leading, so this is always the primary focus of the B-Style engineers.