Enabling Mobility Through Engineering

Techno Agility, a company specializing in the production of vehicles for people with disabilities, partnered with Nadella—part of Rollon by Timken—to equip a special vehicle that enables Paralympic athlete Mauro Tomasi to access and drive it independently.

“We consider ourselves mobility consultants,” explains Thierry Biz, owner of Techno Agility. “Our goal is to help people by applying our knowledge to find the best solutions for their specific needs. The devices we install must genuinely improve quality of life. That’s why we strongly believe that, as far as possible, technology should adapt to people—not the other way around. We actively involve our clients at every stage of the project to clearly understand their needs and identify the most comfortable and functional driving system for them, striving to strike the best balance between human and technological requirements.”

The challenge

The project required lightweight yet robust components to support a system that would allow Mauro—who is paralysed from the waist down and has no mobility in his left arm—to access the driver’s seat directly from his wheelchair via a lifting platform installed in the rear of the vehicle. From there, he can drive independently using a joystick control system.

The equipment, installed on a specially modified Mercedes Sprinter van, was designed not only to provide paraplegic drivers with full autonomy, but also to ensure that people without disabilities can drive the vehicle safely and comfortably.

“The key message I like to share with customers,” Biz adds, “is that these systems are made for people with disabilities, but they offer a smooth and enjoyable driving experience for everyone. It’s a new way of approaching these challenges.”

To bring this vision to life, Techno Agility collaborated closely with Nadella.

The solution

Nadella engineers supported the project from initial design to final commissioning, working to identify and supply the most suitable linear motion system to meet Techno Agility’s functional and structural requirements.

The chosen solution is a 2D multi-axis system made up of two belt-driven linear units from the CLS series for the X-axis, and a rack-and-pinion linear unit for the Y-axis, all equipped with planetary gearboxes. Movement is powered by 24-volt motors, which draw energy from an auxiliary battery—ensuring the main vehicle battery remains unaffected.

Custom linear motion solution for Paralympic athlete

The multi-axis system installed on the vehicle.

The system is integrated into an internal frame, the Rollbar, which safely supports and moves a person weighing up to 150 kg within the vehicle. The structural profiles were specifically designed to ensure not only the system’s reliability, but also the consistency of motion over time. Each component was selected based on the quality of materials and in-house manufacturing processes, with quality checks at every stage—from production to final assembly.

As with all Techno Agility equipment, the entire system was tested and certified by an external authority.

Results

This solution marks a significant step toward independence for Mauro Tomasi. With a simple joystick, he can now enter his vehicle and move into the driver’s seat completely on his own. The system is fast, quiet, and compact, having no negative impact on the vehicle’s internal space.

“The key factors in choosing this linear solution were quality and reliability,” note the engineers at Rollon Nadella. “We’re proud to design systems that can make life easier for everyone—without exception.”

Who is Mauro Tomasi

On August 15, 2000, Mauro Tomasi was involved in a serious motorbike accident that left him paralysed from the waist down and without use of his left arm. Since 2012, when he participated in his first race—the International Lake Marathon—he has taken part in more than 100 sporting events, completing over 70 marathons, including the New York City Marathon in 2014. In 2023 alone, he covered 10,335 kilometers. All of the races Mauro competes in are what he calls “Endeavours” (Imprese). Remarkably, he does not use racing wheelchairs or hand bikes but instead pushes himself using his everyday wheelchair—driven by one arm. “Limits exist only in our minds,” Mauro says. “And often, they’re created by others.”