An Intelligent Powered Wheelchair to Enable Mobility of Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: An Anti-Collision System

TitleAn Intelligent Powered Wheelchair to Enable Mobility of Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: An Anti-Collision System
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsViswanathan, P., J. Boger, J. Hoey, and A. Mihailidis
Conference NameSecond International Conference on Technology and Aging
Date Published06/2007
Conference LocationToronto, ON
Keywordsassistive technology, cognitive impairment, computer vision, dementia, mobility, older adults, wheelchairs
Abstract

Long-term care (LTC) residents with cognitive impairments are often not permitted to use powered wheelchairs due to safety concerns, which results in a loss of mobility and independence. The authors have developed two prototypes of an anti-collision system for a powered wheelchair; one employs a 3D infrared sensor while the other uses stereovision. Both systems are designed to stop the wheelchair if a collision with an object is imminent and provide verbal prompts to help the user navigate around the obstacle. This paper presents an overview of both designs as well as a comparison of performance testing under controlled lighting conditions. Future work includes more advanced planning and scheduling capabilities, as well as the development of a pervasive network of intelligent wheelchairs.

URLhttps://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4126540/