What Self Control Wheelchair Is Your Next Big Obsession Types of Self Control Wheelchairs

Many people with disabilities utilize self-controlled wheelchairs for getting around. These chairs are ideal for everyday mobility and can easily climb up hills and other obstacles. The chairs also feature large rear shock-absorbing nylon tires which are flat-free.

The speed of translation of the wheelchair was measured by a local field method. Each feature vector was fed to a Gaussian encoder, which outputs a discrete probabilistic distribution. The evidence accumulated was used to trigger the visual feedback and a command was delivered when the threshold was reached.

Wheelchairs with hand rims

The type of wheel that a wheelchair uses can impact its ability to maneuver and navigate terrains. Wheels with hand-rims can help reduce strain on the wrist and improve comfort for the user. Wheel rims for wheelchairs are available in aluminum, steel or plastic, as well as other materials. They also come in various sizes. They can be coated with rubber or vinyl to provide better grip. Some are equipped with ergonomic features such as being designed to fit the user's natural closed grip and having wide surfaces for all-hand contact. This lets them distribute pressure more evenly and avoid the pressure of the fingers from being too much.


Recent research has shown that flexible hand rims reduce impact forces, wrist and finger flexor activities in wheelchair propulsion. They also offer a wider gripping surface than tubular rims that are standard, allowing the user to use less force while still retaining good push-rim stability and control. These rims are available from a variety of online retailers and DME suppliers.

The study found that 90% of respondents were pleased with the rims. It is important to note that this was an email survey for people who purchased hand rims from Three Rivers Holdings, and not all wheelchair users suffering from SCI. The survey also did not evaluate actual changes in pain or symptoms, but only whether the people felt that there was a change.

There are four different models to choose from: the light, medium and big. The light is a smaller-diameter round rim, while the medium and big are oval-shaped. The rims with the prime have a slightly larger diameter and a more ergonomically designed gripping area. All of these rims are placed on the front of the wheelchair and can be purchased in a variety of colors, ranging from naturalthe light tan color -- to flashy blue, green, red, pink or jet black. They are also quick-release and can be easily removed for cleaning or maintenance. In addition the rims are encased with a protective vinyl or rubber coating that helps protect hands from slipping on the rims and causing discomfort.

Wheelchairs that have a tongue drive

Researchers at Georgia Tech developed a system that allows users of a wheelchair to control other digital devices and maneuver it by using their tongues. It is made up of a small tongue stud with a magnetic strip that transmits movements signals from the headset to the mobile phone. The smartphone converts the signals into commands that control a wheelchair or other device. The prototype was tested with able-bodied individuals and in clinical trials with patients who suffer from spinal cord injuries.

To evaluate the effectiveness of this system it was tested by a group of able-bodied people utilized it to perform tasks that tested input speed and accuracy. They completed tasks based on Fitts law, which included keyboard and mouse use, and maze navigation using both the TDS and the regular joystick. The prototype had an emergency override button in red and a person was present to assist the participants in pressing it if necessary. The TDS performed just as a normal joystick.

In a separate test in another test, the TDS was compared to the sip and puff system. It lets people with tetraplegia control their electric wheelchairs by blowing or sucking into straws. The TDS performed tasks three times more quickly, and with greater precision, than the sip-and puff system. In fact, the TDS could drive a wheelchair more precisely than a person with tetraplegia who controls their chair using an adapted joystick.

The TDS was able to determine tongue position with an accuracy of less than a millimeter. It also incorporated cameras that recorded a person's eye movements to detect and interpret their movements. It also came with software safety features that checked for valid inputs from users 20 times per second. Interface modules would automatically stop the wheelchair if they didn't receive a valid direction control signal from the user within 100 milliseconds.

The next step for the team is to test the TDS on people with severe disabilities. To conduct these trials they have partnered with The Shepherd Center which is a major care hospital in Atlanta, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. They are planning to enhance the system's ability to adapt to ambient lighting conditions and to include additional camera systems, and enable repositioning for alternate seating positions.

Wheelchairs that have a joystick

A power wheelchair with a joystick allows clients to control their mobility device without having to rely on their arms. It can be positioned in the middle of the drive unit or on the opposite side. It can also be equipped with a screen to display information to the user. Some screens are large and backlit to be more noticeable. Others are small and may contain symbols or pictures to aid the user. The joystick can be adjusted to suit different hand sizes grips, sizes and distances between the buttons.

As the technology for power wheelchairs advanced, clinicians were able to develop alternative driver controls that allowed clients to maximize their functional capabilities. These innovations also allow them to do so in a manner that is comfortable for the user.

For instance, a typical joystick is a proportional input device that uses the amount of deflection in its gimble in order to produce an output that increases as you exert force. This is similar to how video game controllers and accelerator pedals for cars function. However this system requires excellent motor function, proprioception, and finger strength in order to use it effectively.

Another type of control is the tongue drive system, which utilizes the location of the tongue to determine the direction to steer. A tongue stud with magnetic properties transmits this information to the headset, which can carry out up to six commands. It can be used by individuals who have tetraplegia or quadriplegia.

As compared to the standard joysticks, some alternative controls require less force and deflection in order to operate, which is especially helpful for users who have limitations in strength or movement. Others can even be operated by a single finger, making them perfect for people who cannot use their hands at all or have minimal movement in them.

Certain control systems also have multiple profiles that can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of each client. This is important for new users who may have to alter the settings periodically when they are feeling tired or experience a flare-up in a disease. This is helpful for experienced users who wish to change the parameters that are set for a specific setting or activity.

Wheelchairs with steering wheels

Self-propelled wheelchairs are designed to accommodate individuals who need to move around on flat surfaces and up small hills. They have large rear wheels that allow the user to grasp as they propel themselves. Hand rims allow users to use their upper-body strength and mobility to guide a wheelchair forward or backwards. Self-propelled chairs are able to be fitted with a variety of accessories, including seatbelts and dropdown armrests. They can also have swing away legrests. Some models can be converted into Attendant Controlled Wheelchairs, which permit family members and caregivers to drive and control wheelchairs for those who require more assistance.

Three wearable sensors were attached to the wheelchairs of the participants to determine kinematic parameters. The sensors monitored movements for a period of the duration of a week. The wheeled distances were measured by using the gyroscopic sensor that was attached to the frame and the one mounted on the wheels. To distinguish between straight forward movements and turns, the time intervals w here the velocities of the right and left wheels differed by less than 0.05 milliseconds were deemed to be straight. The remaining segments were analyzed for turns, and the reconstructed wheeled paths were used to calculate the turning angles and radius.

A total of 14 participants participated in this study. They were tested for accuracy in navigation and command latency. Utilizing an ecological field, they were required to navigate the wheelchair through four different ways. During the navigation trials sensors tracked the path of the wheelchair over the entire course. Each trial was repeated at least twice. After each trial, participants were asked to choose a direction for the wheelchair to move into.

The results showed that the majority of participants were able to complete navigation tasks even though they did not always follow correct directions. On average, they completed 47% of their turns correctly. The remaining 23% either stopped immediately after the turn or wheeled into a second turning, or replaced by another straight movement. These results are similar to those from previous research.