WHEELCHAIR CONTROL THROUGH HEAD MOVEMENTS

Emőke SZELITZKY, Sergiu Ciprian NĂSUI, Dan MÂNDRU

Abstract


This paper describes a new control system of a mobility aid (e.g. wheelchair) for people with lower limb disabilities or those who have difficulties in long lasting displacements. The operating principle is based on the flexion - extension and abduction-adduction movements of the head, which are transmitted forward to the electrical actuators of the wheelchair. A set of four unidirectional resistive sensors are positioned strategically above the collar level of a garment, each in one of the main moving directions (forward, backward, right and left). An Arduino Mega 2560 data acquisition board reads the sensors data and sends commands for the adaptation circuitry. The operating principle is experimentally tested on a remotely controlled car.

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References


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