May User

Types of Self Control Wheelchairs

Many people with disabilities utilize self-controlled wheelchairs for getting around. These chairs are great for daily mobility and are able to climb hills and other obstacles. They also have large rear flat shock absorbent nylon tires.

The speed of translation of the wheelchair was calculated by a local field method. electric self propelled wheelchair was fed to an Gaussian decoder, which produced a discrete probability distribution. The accumulated evidence was used to trigger the visual feedback and a command was delivered when the threshold was attained.

Wheelchairs with hand-rims

The type of wheel that a wheelchair uses can affect its ability to maneuver and navigate terrains. Wheels with hand rims help reduce strain on the wrist and increase comfort for the user. Wheel rims for wheelchairs may be made from aluminum, plastic, or steel and are available in various sizes. They can be coated with vinyl or rubber to provide better grip. Some are designed ergonomically, with features such as a shape that fits the grip of the user's closed and broad surfaces to allow for full-hand contact. This allows them distribute pressure more evenly and avoids pressing the fingers.

A recent study revealed that rims for the hands that are flexible reduce impact forces as well as the flexors of the wrist and fingers during wheelchair propulsion. These rims also have a wider gripping area than tubular rims that are standard. This allows the user to exert less pressure while maintaining the rim's stability and control. These rims are available at a wide range of online retailers as well as DME suppliers.

The study's results showed that 90% of respondents who had used the rims were pleased with the rims. It is important to remember that this was an email survey of those who purchased hand rims at Three Rivers Holdings, and not all wheelchair users suffering from SCI. The survey didn't measure any actual changes in pain levels or symptoms. It only assessed the degree to which people felt a difference.

There are four models available: the large, medium and light. The light is a smaller-diameter round rim, whereas the big and medium 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 able to be fitted on the front wheel of the wheelchair in a variety of colours. They are available in natural light tan and flashy blues, greens, pinks, reds, and jet black. They also have quick-release capabilities and can be easily removed to clean or for maintenance. The rims have a protective rubber or vinyl coating to stop hands from sliding off and creating discomfort.

Wheelchairs with tongue drive

Researchers at Georgia Tech developed a system that allows people who use a wheelchair to control other digital devices and control them by moving their tongues. It consists of a small magnetic tongue stud that transmits signals for movement to a headset that has wireless sensors as well as mobile phones. The phone then converts the signals into commands that can be used to control the wheelchair or any other device. The prototype was tested with able-bodied people and spinal cord injury patients in clinical trials.

To test the performance, a group of able-bodied people performed tasks that assessed speed and accuracy of input. Fitts’ law was used to complete tasks, like keyboard and mouse use, as well as maze navigation using both the TDS joystick as well as the standard joystick. A red emergency override stop button was built into the prototype, and a companion was present to help users press the button if needed. The TDS worked as well as a normal joystick.


In another test that was conducted, the TDS was compared with the sip and puff system. It lets people with tetraplegia to control their electric wheelchairs by blowing or sucking into straws. The TDS completed tasks three times faster and with greater accuracy than the sip-and-puff system. The TDS can drive wheelchairs with greater precision than a person with Tetraplegia who controls their chair with the joystick.

The TDS could track the position of the tongue with a precision of less than one millimeter. It also had camera technology that recorded the eye movements of a person to detect and interpret their movements. It also included software safety features that checked for valid inputs from the user 20 times per second. If a valid user input for UI direction control was not received for a period of 100 milliseconds, the interface module immediately stopped the wheelchair.

The next step for the team is to try the TDS on individuals 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 intend to improve their system's ability to handle ambient lighting conditions, to include additional camera systems, and to enable the repositioning of seats.

Wheelchairs that have a joystick

A power wheelchair that has a joystick allows users to control their mobility device without having to rely on their arms. It can be positioned in the center of the drive unit or on the opposite side. The screen can also be added to provide information to the user. Some of these screens are large and backlit to be more noticeable. Some screens are smaller and may have symbols or images that assist the user. The joystick can also be adjusted for different sizes of hands, grips and the distance between the buttons.

As power wheelchair technology evolved, clinicians were able to create alternative driver controls that let clients to maximize their functional capabilities. These innovations also allow them to do this in a manner that is comfortable for the user.

For example, a standard joystick is an input device with a proportional function which uses the amount of deflection that is applied to its gimble to provide an output that increases when you push it. This is similar to how accelerator pedals or video game controllers operate. This system requires good motor function, proprioception and finger strength in order to work effectively.

Another form of control is the tongue drive system, which relies on the position of the tongue to determine the direction to steer. A tongue stud with magnetic properties transmits this information to the headset which can perform up to six commands. It is a great option for individuals who have tetraplegia or quadriplegia.

Certain alternative controls are simpler to use than the traditional joystick. This is particularly beneficial for people with limited strength or finger movements. Some controls can be operated by just one finger which is perfect for those with a limited or no movement in their hands.

Additionally, certain control systems have multiple profiles that can be customized to meet each client's needs. This is particularly important for a new user who might need to alter the settings periodically, such as when they experience fatigue or a disease flare up. It can also be beneficial for an experienced user who wants to alter the parameters that are set up initially for a specific environment or activity.

Wheelchairs with steering wheels

Self-propelled wheelchairs can be utilized by people who need to get around on flat surfaces or climb small hills. They have large wheels on the rear that allow the user's grip to propel themselves. Hand rims allow users to make use of their upper body strength and mobility to guide the wheelchair forward or backwards. Self-propelled chairs can be fitted with a range of accessories, including seatbelts and dropdown armrests. They may also have swing away legrests. Some models can be converted to Attendant Controlled Wheelchairs, which allow family members and caregivers to drive and control wheelchairs for people who require more assistance.

Three wearable sensors were affixed to the wheelchairs of participants in order to determine the kinematic parameters. The sensors monitored the movement of the wheelchair for a week. The gyroscopic sensors mounted on the wheels and one fixed to the frame were used to determine the distances and directions that were measured by the wheel. To distinguish between straight forward movements and turns, the period of time when the velocity differs between the left and the right wheels were less than 0.05m/s was considered straight. Turns were then investigated in the remaining segments, and turning angles and radii were calculated from the reconstructed wheeled path.

A total of 14 participants participated in this study. The participants were tested on navigation accuracy and command time. They were required to steer a wheelchair through four different wayspoints in an ecological field. During navigation tests, sensors followed the wheelchair's path over the entire route. Each trial was repeated at least two times. After each trial, participants were asked to select which direction the wheelchair should be moving.

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

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