Concept of cost-effective power-assisted wheelchair: Human-in-the-loop subsystem

Abstract

Motivated by the emerging needs to improve the quality of life for the elderly and disabled individuals who rely on wheelchairs for mobility, and who might have limited or no hand functionality at all, a new concept of wheelchair human-in-the-loop interface is proposed in this report. The beginning of the report provides an analysis of information sources on the presented topic. Then, based on this analysis, a concept of human-in-the-loop system is proposed, applying several hands free control interfaces including electroencephalography, myoelectric interface and gyroscope plus accelerometer interface. In the same time, vibration actuators are proposed as a prospective kind of the wheelchair-to-user feedback.