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Updated: May 25, 2026
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WheelCon: A Wheel Control-Based Gaming Platform for Studying Human Sensorimotor Control
Published on: August 15, 2020
Collaborative control for a robotic wheelchair: evaluation of performance, attention, and workload
1Defitech Chair in Non-Invasive Brain Machine Interface (CNBI), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. tom.carlson@epfl.ch
Summary
This study introduces a collaborative control system for powered wheelchairs. The system enhances driving safety and reduces cognitive load for users, improving mobility and independence.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Rehabilitation Engineering
Background:
- Powered wheelchair users face challenges in safe and effective navigation.
- Current systems may require user assistance, limiting independence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a collaborative control mechanism for powered wheelchairs.
- To assess the impact of the system on user safety, performance, and cognitive workload.
Main Methods:
- A multiple-hypothesis intention prediction method was employed.
- A comprehensive evaluation combined system performance analysis with user performance metrics.
- Eye tracking and a secondary task were used to measure cognitive workload.
Main Results:
- Users experienced multiple collisions without assistance.
- The collaborative controller significantly improved driving safety.
- Assisted driving led to reduced cognitive workload and attention demands.
Conclusions:
- Collaborative control enhances powered wheelchair navigation safety and user experience.
- The system has potential applications in shared control for brain-machine interfaces.
- Reduced cognitive load can improve user independence and task performance.
