I-Corps: Wireless Hands-Free Mobile Wheelchair Control Kit

这个I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力集中在允许更多具有不同能力的人独立操作电动轮椅。该项目开发的套件还可以提供更多的独立性，将双手从操作轮椅中解放出来，并允许轮椅在指定范围内操作-即使用户没有坐在轮椅上。这种无线控制技术可用于控制其他设备，如机器人，旅行踏板车和自适应运动设备。使用已经是智能手机的一部分的传感器和套件中包括的软件应用程序，创建了用户友好且具有成本效益的控制设备。将人类如何控制机器的概念扩展到典型的操纵杆之外，可以改变社会对轮椅和其他移动的设备的看法。这个I-Corps项目将探索电动轮椅使用者（包括脊髓损伤、多发性硬化症、肌肉萎缩症或多发性创伤患者）可以使用的免提轮椅控制套件的商业化。 该设备的设计允许电动轮椅使用者能够操作他们的轮椅，而不需要操纵操纵杆与他们的手。智能手机及其加速度传感器通过蓝牙向轮椅或任何移动终端的控制器发送控制信号，从而成为操纵杆。智能手机可以连接到用户的手臂，头部，胸部，或远程控制轮椅。该套件还设计为使用开关在轮椅的原始操纵杆控制器和定制的智能手机控制器之间切换。线束用于将定制控制器连接到大多数轮椅制造商的原始控制器，以便于安装和操作。该团队的初步工作表明，它是一种成功的控制替代操纵杆的能力，为更广泛的用户群体打开了轮椅操纵的大门。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project focuses on allowing a greater number of people with varying abilities to independently operate a power wheelchair. The kit developed with this project can also provide more independence by freeing up the hands from operating the wheelchair and allowing for the wheelchair to be operated within a specified range - even if the user is not seated in it. This wireless control technology can be used to control other devices such as robots, travel scooters and adaptive sport devices. Using sensors that are already part of smart phones, and the software application including in the kit, a control device that is user friendly and cost effective is created. Expanding the concept of how humans control machines beyond a typical joystick can change the way society views wheelchairs and other mobile devices.This I-Corps project will explore the commercialization of a hands free wheelchair control kit that can be used by power wheelchair users, including those with a spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or poly trauma injuries. The device is designed to allow power wheelchair users the ability to operate their wheelchair without the need to manipulate a joystick with their hands. A smartphone and its accelerometer sensors becomes the joystick by sending the control signals via Bluetooth to the controller of the wheelchair or any mobile device. The smartphone can be attached to the user's arm, head, chest, or remotely, to control the wheelchair. The kit is also designed to toggle between the wheelchair's original joystick controller and the customized smartphone controller using a switch. A wiring harness is used to connect the custom controller to the original controller of most wheelchair manufacturers for easy installation and operation. Preliminary work by the team has shown its capabilities as a successful control alternative to a joystick opening up wheelchair manipulation to a wider group of users.