A low-cost virtual reality wheelchair simulator

Abstract

We present comments from 26 non-disabled subjects who tried our low-cost prototype of a Virtual Reality (VR) manual wheelchair simulator. The subjects found the experience engaging. However, 7 people became slightly uncomfortable (dizzy and motion-sick) and several commented that they missed physical feedback from the wheelchair platform. The simulator consists of 4 rollers and 2 encoders that provide input to a VR-model developed by use of a free-ware game engine. The simulator can be build in about 10 hours for approx. 250 USD.