New speech processor and ultrasonic sensors based embedded system to improve the control of a motorised wheelchair

This paper describes a design of an embedded system used to facilitate the control of a wheelchair. Wheelchair users are able to operate a joystick to control the chair, however many more severely handicapped users need some other means of controlling this type of robot. The designed system is based on grouping a microcontroller with a new voice recognition processor for isolated word and speaker dependent and a set of ultrasonic modules. The resulting design is used to control a wheelchair for a handicapped individuals based on a vocal command. The input of the system are a set of eight Arabic words used to control the movement of an electric wheelchair, a vector of information on the context given by a set of sensors and a joystick for security actions; The output is a corresponding command and a set of indicator LED (Light Emitting Diodes). The system is developed in order to be installed on the wheelchair. Therefore it should be easy to carry, no bulky, with low power consumption, and easy in operation.