Page 35 - drive a2b may 2020

PVC 'automotive PPE' could

be attractive to drivers

“Visually impaired people are not by Sven Gustafson
currently included in the list of
those able to access priority online
shopping slots, but many will be
finding it difficult to buy essential
items without guidance in shops
due to social distancing guidelines.
Initiatives such as Taxicard are vital
to ensure that everyone in society
is able to get the items they need.”

James Mead, TfL’s General Manager
for On Demand Transport, said:
“It’s at times like these we need to
adapt services to ensure they meet
the current needs of the members
who use them. Just about the entire world is wrestling, while under quarantine, with questions
about how to re-start their lives and livelihoods while safeguarding themselves
“We fully support these changes from being infected with the novel coronavirus. In New Zealand, one company
to the Taxicard scheme, which has come up with a solution that could be useful for those who make their living
will ensure that some of the driving with others in tow.
most vulnerable Londoners can
continue to get food and medical Auckland-based RVE, an automotive leather upholsterer and exterior customizer,
supplies, while continuing to has created what it calls “automotive PPE” designed for business, fleet and
shield themselves safely at home emergency service vehicles.
in line with current Government One product is a simple vinyl slip-on seat cover, while the most novel is a
guidelines”.
“driver bubble” — a transparent, easy-to-clean PVC enclosure to surround the
“Other TfL services continue to driver without having to construct a separate compartment. Jim Stanners, the
provide essential journeys for company’s business development director, told Kiwi site Driven the project started
vital workers in the NHS and other out of concern about RVE’s own employees but quickly spread to a realization that
critical services. To everyone else, it was an untapped market.
our message is: stay home, don’t “Driver and passenger are protected, but they don’t have to wear masks and they
travel, save lives.”
can still talk and see each other through the screen,” Stanners said.
The changes to the Taxicard RVE’s driver bubble attaches to the seat head-restraint so as to not interfere with
scheme are temporary, but will airbag functions. It also features a quick release fastener to allow the driver to exit
remain in place for the foreseeable the car quickly in an emergency. The company created prototype versions using a
future while COVID-19 lockdown Ford Ranger and Hyundai iLoad van, but it says it has several versions for SUVs and
measures are required.
vans and can design custom-size versions.

DRIVE A2B magazine · www.drivea2b.com.au · May 2020 35