Electric Wheelchair Future Technology

As we follow the technological advancements in field of assistive devices for the last five years, we are shocked by products on the market now and 5 years ago. Although we covered many news technology announcements, scientific breakthrougs and wrote about prototype products that are coming to market in 1-2 years, this still did not happen.

We can not disagree with Merlexi Craft people (manufacturer of plastic wheelchairs in the USA) in comment here when they say that most concept wheelchairs never make it to market even if they receive National Institute of Health funding. Major obstacle on the road to new products is extensive testing and govt regulations regarding to Medicare/caid. While smaller outfits and innovators have always had trouble finding funding; it now looks that bureaucratic/paperwork obstacles are even harder to break, not to mention that you need experienced people/lawyers just to navigate thru all the regulations and updates of updates on regulations…

Therefore public expects new products from big players, same companies that are on the bleeding development edge in various sectors (robotics, automobilism, autonomous home assistance devices) like Toyota, Honda. But even here – where are the Toyota i-Real? The Toyota i-Swing? The Honda Personal Mobility Device U3-X and Honda’s Robotic Leg or CLEG? Where is the powered ExoSkeleton? Where is the mind controlled electric wheelchairs controller? Where are stem cell powered engines/hybrid batteries? Where and when?

So for the near term we are not optimistic about the development of the assistive technology market and products. Way from lab and prototype to market is too long, too steep and too expensive!

NOTE: few words about Merlexi Craft – they are manufacturers of plastic manual wheelchairs, that are cheap (sub $1000) and light. They are made from lightweight plastic, have folding contoured seats, come in various colors and offer quick-release wheels/footrests… Special versions are available for hospitals – and such wheelchair is appropriate for magnetic imaging, is safe, durable and shellock approved… If would be nice to see if company can fit an electric motor on top of the plastic frame and create economically feasible electric wheelchairs for mass market… See introductory video below:

What would be considered pure science fiction material not so long ago, is now becoming reality. The device called ReWalk helps people paralyzed below the waist to stand, walk and climb stairs.

One of first paraplegics to try the exoskeleton is former Israeli paratrooper Radi Kaiof whose life now changed dramatically, as he can once again climb stairs and face people face to face… A new powered exoskeleton suit passed internal tests and has already enabled several disabled to walk again. Suit is making strong converts among those who have worn it.

Powered Exoskeleton that enables the disabled to walk again is the brainchild of engineer Amit Goffer, founder of Argo Medical Technologies, a small Israeli high-tech company. Ironically Amit himself was paralyzed in an accident in 1997.

The suit consists of motorized leg supports, packager of body sensors and a rechargable battery located in a backpack. Currently suite is only useful for disabled that have full function of their arms, as user needs to control the unit via remote control wristband, which contains various settings like: sit, stand, walk, or climb.

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Israeli students developed a simple voice controlled electric wheelchair, and posted a video that confirms its operation. They used cheap commercially available parts like hm2007 speech recognition kit and EMIC text-to-speech module. This module vocally speaks out warnings to the man on the chair.

Their initial plan was to use a cheap laptop (like Asus EEE Pc) for the speech recognition, as this would allow future upgradebility (such as a rear and side view camera, audio warning, and easier programming of the control logic) and improvement to the speech recognition software.

The cost comparison would hold, as the price difference between EEE Pc and hm2007 is small, and would not mean a big difference within price of electric wheelchair itself. Also the higher power drain should be small, compared with the wheelchair’s drain.

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In start of October, a powered wheelchair that moves when user thinks on particular word, was demonstrated by American company Ambient. The electric wheelchair operates by catching the signals sent from

user's brain to their larynx (voice box), even when there is no audiable sound. Wheelchair was developed to help people with spinal injuries, or neurological problems like cerebral palsy or motor neurone disease. This revolutionary brain interface allows user to operate computer and other equipment despite serious problems with muscle control. Similar to autonomous remote controlled electric wheelchair we already wrote about, this system allows user even more freedom, as all user has to do is think of the word. System consists of larynx (voice box), which user must be able to operate – and most likely can, even in the event of poor muscle coordination necessary to produce coherent speech.

This breakthrough voice boy system called larynx control system, or shortly "Audeo", was developed by researchers Michael Callahan and Thomas Coleman at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, US, who together also founded Ambient. 

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Otto Bock HealthCare, a global manufacturer of prosthetic components began developing a prosthetic knee system in 2006. Project started when company was awarded a three-year $1 million contract to develop a leg that will allow US Army service members to stay on active duty if they choose to, and Otto Bock seem like logical choice, as their C-LEG product was ahead of the competition in this field.

The current C-Leg allows users a choice between two operating modes: one for walking and another for bicycling (or any other preprogrammed activity). The "problem" is switching between modes, as the wearer has to swing the leg forward in a jerky fashion. The new C-LEG will support up to 10 programmable modes, switchable through a small remote control about the size of a car alarm remote. Reprogramming a mode with another special activity will still require a visit to a technician…

The new C-LEG project is currently in the prototype stage, and if there will be no bigger technical problems, the new prosthesis should be available to US army service members in 2009, which means that in 2010 or at most a year after, it will be also available on free market. The new, much improved system will cost the same, as current C-LEG offer – approximately $30.000. C-LEG is special because it is hydraulic prosthetic leg based on technology similar to Segway… C-LEG's CPU brain automatically adapts to changes

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