SBIR Phase I: CoPilot - An Active Wheelchair Driving Aid for Independent Living

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This Small Business Innovation Research project proposes to develop and commercialize an active drivingaid to enable semi-autonomous, cooperative navigation of an electric power wheelchair (EPW) bothindoors and in dynamic, outdoor environments. The device is called CoPilot and is intended to be usedby EPW users who suffer from deteriorating cognitive, perceptive, or motor function. CoPilot is an intelligentsensor and semi-autonomous drive control system that works in cooperation with the driver to aidin negotiating changing terrain, avoiding obstacles/collisions, and maintaining a straight path. The goal isto prolong independent living and safety for seniors in their homes. The basis for the innovation is that asan elder person begins to lose perceptive or motor function, CoPilot can augment that loss because it caninterpret the user?s intent and it can see out into the environment on their behalf. This project will leveragethe latest in 3D LIDAR technology for robust perception, exploit the team?s experience in commercializingthe smart wheelchair of the Automated Transport and Retrieval System (including acquiring FDA approval),and will apply the knowledge the team has gained in developing autonomous driving solutions through theirparticipation in the DARPA Urban Challenge.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is to enable prolonged independent living and safetyfor seniors in their homes while also providing significant economic relief to the U.S. healthcare system. TheU.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that the number of people over the age of 65 willincrease from 38.9 million people in 2008 to over 70 million by 2030. This rapid growth in the U.S. elderpopulation will also increase the number of people with age-related symptoms that hamper their mobility.Such common symptoms include visual impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer?s disease. A second, moreserious side effect of this aging population is that it will place unprecedented strains on the U.S. healthcaresystem. This impact can be moderated in part by enabling individuals to maintain their independence andsafety while living at home longer. It is estimated that adding a single month of independence and health toAmerica?s elder population would save $5 billion, while decreasing hospitalization and institutionalization10% would save $50 billion annually. As a result, technology for home-centered approaches to healthcare,such as CoPilot, are necessary.