Wireless Real-Time Head Movement System Using a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) for Control of a Power Wheelchair

Loss of mobility can occur for a variety of reasons, such as spinal cord injury or motor neurone disease. The onset of these conditions often brings with it an associated loss of personal independence, which is primarily due to the fact that the sufferer is no longer able to control their mobility. This project aims to address this problem through the creation of a head movement based wheelchair control system. Using a personal digital assistant (PDA) artificial intelligence techniques on an embedded LINUX operating system, a wireless head movement wheelchair control system has been designed and implemented. This system provides relief for sufferers of conditions which inhibit mobility through a method of wheelchair control which offers enhanced ease of use, attractiveness and independence.