A smart wheelchair based on ubiquitous computing

Abstract

This paper presents the Hefestos Smart Wheelchair, a wheelchair with sensing capability, designed to provide ubiquitous accessibility. The project aims at supporting accessibility for wheelchair users in various situations of their everyday life. Offering context awareness, user profiles, and trails management. We also present the evaluation of the prototype based on an academic experiment. This assessment used the smart wheelchair, which is under development at University of the Rio dos Sinos Valley (Unisinos). The prototype was operated by ten wheelchair users.