$μ$-force control - A device for controlling power wheelchairs for severely mobility impaired persons

A new device for the control of power wheelchairs is introduced. Besides a speech recognition module its main component consists in two force sensors, shaped to match the hands of the user. The sensors are able to measure slightest pressures executed by the thumbs. Commonly, mobility impaired persons control a power wheelchair via a joystick. This requires the ability to execute distinct movements of the ®ngers or hands. In case the impairments are more severe and affect also the upper limbs, the possibility of wheelchair control via a joystick might not exist. Such persons in mind, a concept has been developed in which minimal muscular forces suf®ce to control a power wheelchair. A prototype of the device has been constructed that measures and combines the pressures from both thumbs and translates them to direction and speed of the wheelchair. It has been tested under reality conditions in various indoor and outdoor scenarios.