Smart Wheelchair and Sensor System for Tracking Performance and Accessibility in Urban Environments

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Engineering
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Mobility and Accessibility Studies

Background:

• Wheelchair users experience mobility limitations due to medical conditions and urban accessibility barriers.
• Current methods for assessing wheelchair user performance lack objective, real-world data capture.
• Need for non-invasive, cost-effective systems to monitor wheelchair mobility and user posture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel sensor system for monitoring wheelchair user mobility and posture.
• To assess the influence of real-world course conditions on wheelchair speed and center of pressure (COP).
• To provide objective motion data for future wheelchair design and rehabilitation research.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study utilized a sensor system integrating an inertial measurement unit (IMU), GPS, and a pressure-measuring seat.
• Seven participants navigated an 800-meter outdoor course with 13 distinct sections.
• Real-time data on distance, speed, and center of pressure (COPx, COPy) were recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Average wheelchair speed was 1.24 m/s, with peak speeds up to 2.67 m/s.
• Center of pressure (COP) fluctuated significantly (average 25 mm in x and y directions).
• Course conditions demonstrated significant effects on speed and COP, with strong agreement among participants (Kendall's W = 0.7857).

Conclusions:

• The developed sensor system effectively captures objective motion data for wheelchair users in real-world settings.
• Course conditions significantly impact wheelchair mobility parameters, highlighting the importance of accessible urban design.
• This cost-effective system offers potential for advancing wheelchair design and rehabilitation strategies, pending clinical trials with mobility-impaired individuals.