A driver side brake controller can include a telescoping shaft including a brake lever connector disposed thereon and adapted to be secured to a brake lever of a motor vehicle. A tubular main body can be provided that is adapted to adjustably accept the second telescoping end of the telescoping shaft therein and secure the telescoping shaft with locking hardware at a fixed position within the tubular main body to enable the main body to extend from the driver-side front floorboard area up into the driver side compartment near a steering wheel and within reach of a driver's hands. The tubular main body can terminate at a handle area that can be padded. The tubular main body can be rotated 360 degrees to allow for either hand (left, right) operation. Rotation can be facilitated by a swivel joint connecting the telescoping shaft and the brake lever connector.

A personal transportation vehicle includes a seating area, at least one electric brake, and a receptacle containing electrical connectors that connect to the at least one electric brake. The seating area is sized to receive a driver operating the personal transportation vehicle. The at least one electric brake is disposed in an engaged position when an insufficient amount of power is delivered to the at least one electric brake and is disposed in a disengaged position when a sufficient amount of power is delivered to the at least one electric brake. In the engaged position, the at least one electric brake prevents the personal transportation vehicle from moving. The receptacle is accessible from the seating area during operation of the personal transportation vehicle.

A personal transportation vehicle includes a seating area, at least one electric brake, and a receptacle containing electrical connectors that connect to the at least one electric brake. The seating area is sized to receive a driver operating the personal transportation vehicle. The at least one electric brake is disposed in an engaged position when an insufficient amount of power is delivered to the at least one electric brake and is disposed in a disengaged position when a sufficient amount of power is delivered to the at least one electric brake. In the engaged position, the at least one electric brake prevents the personal transportation vehicle from moving. The receptacle is accessible from the seating area during operation of the personal transportation vehicle.

An emergency braking assembly for a motor-driven tool has a holding structure, a braking element movably mounted on the holding structure, and a wire-like actuation element, which has a shape-memory alloy. A first end of the actuation element is attached to the holding structure. A second end of the actuation element is drivingly coupled to the braking element. A method operates the emergency braking assembly. The braking element is set in motion by the actuation element and then a motion coupling between actuation element and braking element is cancelled or terminated.