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Open doors

There are several different ways to approach and open a door. Depending on the physical limitation, one method may work better or less effectively for you. We would like to present some options.

Pulling

Option

Course of action

Frontal approach in drive mode

  1. In confined space (e.g. in narrow corridors), you may only be able to approach the door from the front.

  2. Stop in drive mode with a small distance (approx. 30 cm) to the door.

  3. Lean slightly forward to grab the door handle. During this movement, your center of gravity will shift slightly and BRO will move forward a bit.

  4. Subsequently lean back and if necessary simultaneously pull the joystick back with your available hand. By using the movement of your upper body and the wheelchair's reverse drive, you can pull the door open. If it's not possible for you to use both hands, often just the movement of the upper body and BRO's subsequent response is enough to open the door.

  5. Open the door further and be careful not to let the tracks collide with the door frame.

  6. Afterwards, you can navigate through the open door with BRO.

Approach from the side in drive mode

  1. Approach the door laterally and somewhat diagonally in drive mode, so that you are facing the opening of the door. The hinge of the door is behind you.

  2. Grab the door handle with one hand.

  3. Lean back and simultaneously pull the joystick back with the available hand. By using the movement of your upper body and the wheelchair's reverse drive, you can pull the door open.

  4. As soon as the door is open enough, you can navigate around the door frame by operating the joystick.

  5. Subsequently, you are able to navigate through the open door with BRO.

Frontal approach in park mode

  1. Drive straight towards the door and switch to park mode.

  2. Grab the door handle with one hand.

  3. In park mode, reverse back straightly. You can pull the door open with the help of BRO's movement.

  4. Reverse far enough to allow the door to be opened without touching or colliding with the tracks.

  5. Now you can push the joystick forward and drive through the open door in park mode. Alternatively, you can switch to drive mode and then drive through the door.

This option allows you to open heavy doors, such as fire doors. Additionally, this approach is helpful if you have limited strength or restricted upper body movement.

Be careful if there is a door threshold. In such a situation, you may get stuck with the support system at the threshold and may not be able to continue driving.

Pushing

Option

Course of action

Frontal approach in drive mode

  1. Drive straight and frontally towards the door in drive mode.

  2. Stop in drive mode with a small distance to the door.

  3. Lean forward to grab the door handle. BRO will move forward slightly.

  4. Now lean even further forward to push the door open. If necessary, you can also use your free hand to push the joystick forward to further open the door with the force of BRO.

  5. Open the door further and be careful not to let the tracks collide with the door frame.

  6. Afterwards, you can navigate through the open door with BRO.

Approach from the side in drive mode

  1. Approach the door laterally and slightly diagonal in drive mode, so that you are facing the opening of the door. The hinge of the door is behind you.

  2. Grab the door handle with one hand.

  3. Now, turn BRO slightly in the direction of the door frame using the joystick. With the help of the sides of the tracks, you can give the door a little push, and it will open a bit.

  4. Now hold the door open with your free hand.

  5. As you move forward with BRO, the door will continue to open further, allowing you to eventually pass through easily with BRO.

Caution, with this approach, it is possible that if the tracks touch the door, the rubber on the tracks may leave small marks on the door.

Frontal approach in park mode

  1. Drive straight towards the door and switch to park mode.

  2. Grab the door handle with one hand.

  3. Drive straight forward in park mode by pushing the joystick to the front. This allows you, if necessary, to push the door open using the tracks.

  4. Drive through the door opening. Once the door is open enough, you can also switch to drive mode if needed and then drive through the door.

This option allows you to open heavy doors, such as fire doors. Additionally, this approach is helpful if you have limited strength or restricted upper body movement.

Be careful if there is a door threshold. In such a situation, you may get stuck with the support system at the threshold and may not be able to continue driving.

Do not descend steps on the support system

Never descend (even shallow) steps and stairs with the support system extended in park mode! The support system could break due to the violent impact and you could topple backwards and injure yourself. Use track mode or drive mode.

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