A Study on the Safety and Drivability Enhancement of Mobile Wheelchairs

This paper explores a pragmatic establishment of healthcare techniques dedicated to improving the safety and drivability of electric power wheelchairs. The focus of the study is an analysis of the relationship between passenger´s posture behavior and comfort sensation in riding mobile wheelchair. We propose a new driving control system, by constructing a passenger´s posture model that involves the measurement of passenger´s contact with chair´s backrest. Passenger´s safety and comfort while riding wheelchair is improved by suppressing the vibration with discomfort frequencies. The model allows to capture the passenger´s posture behavior, thus enables to optimize driving pattern. The envisioned outcome will make physically handicapped people travel safely and comfortably in indoor and outdoor environments.