Development of a Route Finding System for Manual Wheelchair Users Based on Actual Measurement Data

We have sought to develop a navigation system for manual wheelchair users. This report describes a means to produce a database for optimum path finding based on measured data for a system that navigates manual wheelchair users to their respective destinations and enables them to move freely outdoors. We converted actual measurement data to a graph structure that is suitable for a route-finding system for manual wheelchair users. Moreover, we configured the evaluation function of route-finding for manual wheelchair users, and the optimum route search to which the cost evaluation function was applied. Results of optimum route searching show that the system can seek a route considering the physical power of a manual wheelchair user.