Military Technology Helps Wheelchairs Detect Hazardous Terrain

posted on Jan 06 by Admin in the Disability News, Fun, Spinal Cord Injury, Technology, Veterans, Wheelchair Accessibility, Wheelchair Technology category

Researchers are working on developing a wheelchair that can detect hazardous terrain and self adjust its settings to move more smoothly and safely over different types of landscapes. The new technology helps electric wheelchair users avoid accidents involving wheels slipping, sinking, or tipping over.

The idea originated from automatic terrain-sensing controls for unmanned military vehicles and multiple four-wheel-drive automobiles that are already on the market. Emmanuel Collins from Florida State’s Center for Intelligent Systems stated that the device is known as a laser line striper and is used to recognize different terrain conditions.

Dr. Rory Cooper, director of HERL (Human Engineering Research Labs), suffered a spinal cord injury in 1980 during his time in the U.S. army leaving him in a wheelchair. Collins had heard him speak at a presentation about the need to invent a terrain-dependent electric-powered wheelchair. The two of them began discussing the idea and joined forces with other collaborators at the National Science Foundation-Sponsored Quality of Life Technology Center, affiliated with HERL that Cooper co-directs.

This year, Collins and his colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh began experimenting with present driving control systems with hopes to succeed in incrementing a device to coincide with the instrument used for wheelchairs. This team has already developed different kinds of technology used in bettering the wheelchair society. Many of their products are already in use by wheelchair factories and rehabilitation hospitals nationwide. The U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command’s Telemedicine and Advance Technology Research Center have seen the difference this discovery could make for wheelchair users. In hope of advancing the technology, the center has provided funding and guidance for the team to pursue perfecting the device.

Collins said, “I’m inspired by the idea of applying technology originally meant for the battlefield to improve the quality of everyday life for injured soldiers and others.” He also stated that to his knowledge, no one else is working on this type of application. Collins has estimated that if they develop a strong commercial partner, the technology could be released in the next five years to assist people with disabilities.

Army Maj. Kevin Fitzpatrick, of Walter Reed’s wheelchair clinic, said, “This technology will provide electric-powered wheelchair users with and increased degree of independence that may significantly increase their ability to participate in recreational and functional activities.”