Semi-autonomous Robotic Powered Wheelchair Functionality

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant Mobility limitations are the leading cause of functional limitations among adults and are strong predictors of activities of daily living ADL Impaired mobility often results in decreased opportunities to socialize and can lead to social isolation anxiety and depression There are many impairments for which driving a powered wheelchair can be a challenge including upper body physical impairments cognitive impairments and also visual impairments According to surveys of clinicians more than of powered wheelchair users reported complaints with wheelchair control and of candidate manual or powered wheelchair users are unable to be prescribed either The potential for using robotic technology in powered wheelchairs has been recognized for decades Despite significant advances in smart wheelchair technologies there has been limited success transitioning them to the market Hypothesis We hypothesize that the failure to commercialize this technology is in part due to the lack of a commercially viable robust and cost effective sensing and processing platform which can be added to existing powered wheelchairs Specific Aims Innovative Design Labs IDL proposes to create a commercially viable add on system to powered wheelchairs that enables short term short distance assisted control features and functions to improve the mobility of its powered wheelchair users To prove the feasibility of this effort in phase I IDL wil Investigate stakeholder requirements including user interfaces and overall system requirements Design and prototype the hardware system and software framework Implement a set of semi autonomous capabilities and Evaluate the system performance against stakeholder requirements The overall phase I effort will demonstrate the ability of a commercially viable product prototype to add smart wheelchair capabilities to existing powered wheelchairs PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Mobility limitations are the leading cause of functional limitations among adults with an estimated prevalence of per persons age to and per at age and older It is estimated that users could benefit from autonomous navigation features and users could benefit from obstacle avoidance capabilities The potential for using robotic technology in powered wheelchairs to aid the mobility of those with motor visual and or cognitive impairments has been recognized for decades However despite significant advances in capabilities control and interfaces there has been limited success in transitioning smart wheelchair technologies to the general public