Types of Self Control Wheelchairs

Self-control wheelchairs are used by many disabled people to move around. These chairs are great for everyday mobility and can easily climb up hills and other obstacles. The chairs also come with large rear shock-absorbing nylon tires that are flat-free.

The speed of translation of wheelchairs was calculated using a local field potential approach. Each feature vector was fed to an Gaussian encoder which output an unidirectional probabilistic distribution. The evidence that was accumulated was used to generate visual feedback, as well as a command delivered when the threshold was exceeded.

Wheelchairs with hand rims

The type of wheels that a wheelchair is able to affect its maneuverability and ability to traverse various terrains. Wheels with hand rims can help relieve wrist strain and improve comfort for the user. Wheel rims for wheelchairs can be found in aluminum, steel or plastic, as well as other materials. They also come in a variety of sizes. They can be coated with rubber or vinyl for better grip. Some come with ergonomic features, for example, being shaped to conform to the user's closed grip and wide surfaces that allow for full-hand contact. This lets them distribute pressure more evenly and avoids pressing the fingers.

Recent research has demonstrated that flexible hand rims reduce the impact forces, wrist and finger flexor activities in wheelchair propulsion. They also have a greater gripping area than standard tubular rims. This allows the user to apply less pressure while still maintaining good push rim stability and control. They are available from a variety of online retailers and DME suppliers.

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

These rims can be ordered in four different models, including the light, big, medium and prime. The light is round rim that has small diameter, while the oval-shaped medium and large are also available. The rims that are prime have a slightly bigger diameter and a more ergonomically designed gripping area. All of these rims can be mounted on the front wheel of the wheelchair in various shades. They are available in natural light tan and flashy greens, blues, reds, pinks, and jet black. They are also quick-release and are easily removed for cleaning or maintenance. Additionally the rims are covered with a protective vinyl or rubber coating that helps protect hands from slipping onto the rims and causing discomfort.

Wheelchairs with tongue drive

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new system that lets users maneuver a wheelchair and control other digital devices by moving their tongues. It consists of a small magnetic tongue stud that transmits movement signals to a headset containing 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 on physically able people and in clinical trials with those with spinal cord injuries.

To test the performance, a group of physically fit people completed tasks that measured input accuracy and speed. Fitts’ law was used to complete tasks such as keyboard and mouse use, as well as maze navigation using both the TDS joystick and the standard joystick. A red emergency stop button was built into the prototype, and a second participant was able to press the button when needed. The TDS performed as well as a normal joystick.

Another test The TDS was compared TDS to what's called the sip-and-puff system. It allows people with tetraplegia control their electric wheelchairs by sucking or blowing air through a straw. The TDS was able to complete tasks three times faster and with greater precision, as compared to the sip-and-puff method. The TDS is able to operate wheelchairs more precisely than a person with Tetraplegia, who steers their chair with the joystick.

The TDS could track tongue position with a precision of less than one millimeter. It also included a camera system that captured a person's eye movements to detect and interpret their motions. Safety features for software were also integrated, which checked valid user inputs twenty times per second. If a valid signal from a user for UI direction control was not received for a period of 100 milliseconds, the interface module immediately stopped the wheelchair.

The next step is testing the TDS on people who have severe disabilities. They have partnered with the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta-based hospital for catastrophic care, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, to conduct those tests. They intend to improve their system's tolerance for lighting conditions in the ambient, to include additional camera systems, and to enable repositioning of seats.

Wheelchairs that have a joystick

With a wheelchair powered with a joystick, clients can control their mobility device using their hands, without having to use their arms. It can be positioned in the middle of the drive unit or on either side. It also comes with a display to show information to the user. Some screens are large and are backlit for better visibility. Some screens are smaller and contain symbols or pictures to assist the user. www.mymobilityscooters.uk can be adjusted to suit different hand sizes and grips as well as the distance of the buttons from the center.

As power wheelchair technology evolved as it did, clinicians were able create driver controls that allowed patients to maximize their functional potential. These advances also enable them to do this in a way that is comfortable for the user.

A normal joystick, for example, is a proportional device that uses the amount of deflection in its gimble in order to give an output that increases with force. This is similar to how automobile accelerator pedals or video game controllers work. This system requires excellent motor function, proprioception and finger strength in order to function effectively.

A tongue drive system is a second type of control that uses the position of a user's mouth to determine the direction in which they should steer. A tongue stud that is magnetic transmits this information to the headset which can carry out up to six commands. It is a great option for individuals who have tetraplegia or quadriplegia.

Some alternative controls are easier to use than the standard joystick. This is especially beneficial for people with limited strength or finger movements. Others can even be operated using just one finger, making them ideal for those who can't use their hands at all or have limited movement in them.

Additionally, some control systems have multiple profiles that can be customized for each client's needs. This is crucial for those who are new to the system and may require adjustments to their settings periodically when they are feeling tired or are experiencing a flare-up of an illness. This is useful for experienced users who wish to change the settings set for a particular setting or activity.

Wheelchairs with steering wheels

Self-propelled wheelchairs are designed for people who require to maneuver themselves along flat surfaces as well as up small hills. They come with large rear wheels that allow the user to grasp while they propel themselves. They also have hand rims that allow the user to make use of their upper body strength and mobility to control the wheelchair in a either direction of forward or backward. Self-propelled wheelchairs are available with a wide range of accessories, such as seatbelts, dropdown armrests and swing-away leg rests. Certain 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.


To determine the kinematic parameters, participants' wheelchairs were equipped with three wearable sensors that monitored movement throughout an entire week. The gyroscopic sensors on the wheels as well as one attached to the frame were used to measure the distances and directions of the wheels. To discern between straight forward movements and turns, the period of time when the velocity differs between the left and right wheels were less than 0.05m/s was considered to be straight. The remaining segments were analyzed for turns, and the reconstructed wheeled paths were used to calculate the turning angles and radius.

This study involved 14 participants. They were tested for navigation accuracy and command latency. They were asked to maneuver the wheelchair through four different waypoints in an ecological field. During navigation tests, sensors followed the wheelchair's movement over the entire route. Each trial was repeated at minimum twice. After each trial, participants were asked to select a direction for the wheelchair to move in.

The results showed that the majority of participants were able complete the navigation tasks even when they didn't always follow correct directions. In the average, 47% of the turns were completed correctly. The remaining 23% either stopped immediately following the turn or wheeled into a subsequent turning, or replaced with another straight movement. These results are similar to the results of previous research.