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

这个I-Corps项目更广泛的影响和商业潜力集中在让更多不同能力的人独立操作电动轮椅上。与此项目一起开发的套件还可以通过解放操作轮椅的双手来提供更多的独立性，并允许在指定的范围内操作轮椅-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、旅行滑板车和自适应运动设备。利用智能手机中已经存在的传感器和工具包中的软件应用程序，创建了一个用户友好且成本有效的控制设备。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设备的看法。这个I-Corps项目将探索一种免手轮椅控制套件的商业化，供电动轮椅使用者使用，包括那些脊髓损伤、多发性硬化症、肌肉萎缩症或多发性创伤损伤的人。该装置的设计目的是让电动轮椅使用者能够在不需要用手操纵操纵杆的情况下操纵轮椅。智能手机及其加速度传感器通过蓝牙将控制信号发送给轮椅或任何移动设备的控制器，从而成为操纵杆。智能手机可以连接在用户的手臂、头部、胸部，或者远程控制轮椅。该套件还可以通过开关在轮椅原有的操纵杆控制器和定制的智能手机控制器之间切换。大多数轮椅制造商使用线束将定制控制器连接到原始控制器，以便于安装和操作。该团队的初步工作表明，它是一种成功的操纵杆控制替代品，为更广泛的用户打开了轮椅操作的大门。

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.