Delphi's Power Liftgate Honored With daVinci Award

TROY, Mich., Sept. 19 -- Delphi Corp.will be honored on Friday, Sept. 20, by the Engineering Society of Detroit and the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter, with a daVinci Award for the power liftgate.

"We're very pleased to be recognized for our development of one of the most practical technologies available in vehicles today, the power liftgate," said James A. Bertrand, president, Delphi Safety & Interior Systems. "It's an especially useful innovation for people with disabilities because the gate, rear hatch or door of any sport utility vehicle or minivan can be effortlessly opened and closed with the push of a button, facilitating loading of wheelchairs or other large items."

The daVinci Awards honor those individuals and corporations in the engineering, construction and technical realm for their creative and innovative contributions on behalf of individuals with disabilities.

Delphi was the first to present the power liftgate to the world at the 1995 Auto Show in Frankfurt, Germany.

Delphi's power liftgate can be operated easily, to open or close the tail gate, by an interior switch or a remote keyless entry device. In addition, the power liftgate includes an integrated obstacle detection feature to help enhance safety during operation.

The obstacle detection feature automatically reverses the liftgate when contact is initiated during opening and closing.

The design team that created the power liftgate, led by Robert P. Farran, Delphi's engineering group manager for power products, approached the design from a unique perspective. Farran, who has multiple sclerosis, wanted to be able to load the cart he rides daily without struggling with door handles, or worrying about having enough space between vehicles in a parking lot. Throughout the design and testing phases, he probed, challenged and tested the technology as the team progressed.

Today, Farran can approach his vehicle and have the gate already open when he's ready to load up the cart. With Delphi's liftgate technology, he said, "Now I push the button and the gate closes properly; a significant help."