Have you ever watched your family disappear down a trail, knowing your power wheelchair couldn't follow? For riders with limited hand function, that frustration runs deeper, because many all-terrain mobility vehicles still rely on controls designed for full grip strength.
We built the Exoquad V2 to change that. This article explains how an all-terrain mobility vehicle can work with limited hand function, which features matter most, and what we are developing next.
Limited hand function means reduced grip strength, dexterity or fine motor control in one or both hands. Common causes include cervical spinal cord injury (tetraplegia), stroke, MS, ALS and muscular dystrophy.
Most power wheelchairs use a single joystick. That works well indoors and on pavement. Off-road terrain is different: it asks for quicker reactions, firmer inputs and the ability to brake and accelerate independently. The controls have to be designed around your abilities, not the other way around.
Standard power wheelchairs are built for indoor and paved surfaces, with narrow wheels, little suspension and low ground clearance. On grass, gravel or forest trails they quickly lose traction.
All-terrain mobility vehicles are a different category. The Exoquad V2 combines fat-bike tires, 200 mm of independent suspension and optional four-wheel drive, and handles side slopes of up to 30 degrees and inclines of up to 40 degrees. But terrain capability only matters if you can control the vehicle safely. That is where the controls come in.
Exoquad V2 cockpit with adaptive controls.
If required, the Exoquad V2 can be delivered with quadriplegic adaptations: wrist throttle control and a single-side braking lever that controls all four wheels at once. You transfer in from your day chair and go.
The CNC-machined brake and throttle handles can be configured for left- or right-hand use, so you choose which hand brakes and which accelerates based on your strongest grip. They are designed to work without fine finger dexterity.
If one hand has clearly more function, all throttle and brake inputs can be consolidated to one side. You don't need to coordinate both hands at once, and you ride with the strength you have.
Adjustable seat heights and handlebar positions let you find a posture where your arms and wrists stay in their most functional range. Velcro belts for extra support are available as optional add-ons.
We are continuously working to improve our throttle and brake solutions for riders with tetraplegia, and much of that work comes directly from feedback from our riders.
Right now, we are developing a brand new braking solution. It will make it easier and safer to brake on all four wheels with one single motion, operated from one side. We will share more as soon as it is ready. If you want to be among the first to hear about it, get in touch with your local dealer.
Independent A-arm suspension with 200 mm of travel.
Rough terrain sends vibrations and sudden jolts through the controls. With reduced grip, one unexpected jolt can be enough to lose hold of the throttle or brake.
The Exoquad V2's patented A-arm system gives 200 mm of independent suspension travel, absorbing rocks, roots and uneven ground before the impact reaches your hands. Combined with a low center of gravity and a wide axle width, the vehicle stays planted on steep or muddy slopes, so you are not fighting to balance and steer at the same time.
When a two-wheel-drive vehicle loses traction on loose gravel or wet grass, you need to react fast. That takes hand strength and speed you may not have.
The Exoquad V2 4WD has one motor on each wheel and keeps traction on all four contact points. You switch on 4WD with a single button press, and the vehicle holds its grip on loose surfaces without rapid corrections from you.
This matters beyond the vehicle itself: a 2025 study in the Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism found that access to purpose-built assistive devices is the most cited barrier for people with mobility challenges who want to take part in nature-based activities.
Not every all-terrain mobility vehicle is built with reduced hand function in mind. When comparing options, ask:
A test drive is the most reliable way to find out. Every rider's hand function is different, and no spec sheet replaces trying the controls on real terrain.
Limited hand function does not have to keep you from forests, mountains and outdoor life. The key is a vehicle whose controls match your abilities, and a manufacturer that keeps improving them.
Ready to feel what the trail is like when your vehicle works with you? Book an Exoquad test drive with your nearest dealer.
Yes. The Exoquad V2 can be delivered with quadriplegic adaptations, including wrist throttle control and a single-side braking lever that brakes all four wheels.
A joystick relies on fine finger movements. The Exoquad V2 uses handlebar-mounted controls that respond to broader hand and wrist movements, which is more forgiving for riders with reduced dexterity.
Yes. The 200 mm independent A-arm suspension absorbs shocks before they reach the controls, which means fewer sudden jolts that could loosen your grip.
Not always, but 4WD reduces the need for quick corrective inputs on loose ground. The Exoquad V2 4WD has one motor per wheel and keeps traction automatically.
Yes. We are continuously improving our quadriplegic throttle and brake setups, and a new solution that makes it easier and safer to brake all four wheels with one motion on one side is currently in development.
Book a test drive through our dealer network and try the adaptive controls on real terrain.