iPhone can be fitted to any new or existing Dynamic Controls DX2, DX or Shark electric wheel chair.  A cradle is available to mount the iPhone or iPod touch onto the wheelchair, connecting it with control systems. This requires no reprogramming of the wheelchair, and can be done at home. While connected, iPhone is charged from the chair’s battery.

Upcoming versions of Dynamic Control’s software might even allow further control of the wheel chair thru iPhone interface – something similar as MIT showed with WiFi… First response from user base is positive, as the idea to be able to buy an off the shelf product that has so many features for powered wheelchair users is appealing.

Honda

U3-X is based on technology developed in Honda’s humanoid robot Asimo. Honda is well known for its R&D in robotics and assistive technology, and although its announcements are many (see the one about artificial robotic leg) most of this is still years away from production and sale. Looks like Honda is competing heavily against local rival Toyota, which is also aggressive on robotics and research – and both move in similar direction (toyota shows segway personal transporter with seat, toyota and mind controlled wheelchair, toyota i-swing personal mobility device)…

Anyhow, U3-X is on contrary with Toyota’s i-Swing a small device, which is also very portable. It can be carried around and put in trunk with ease. U3-X has a seat height a bit higher than an average person’s waist line, so passenger must “jump” on it to commence the ride. Passenger then puts his his feet to the foot rests (similar as found on motor bikes). The rest is already known from segway – passenger leans in the direction he wants to go, and U3-X personal mobility device moves. It can drive in 8 directions (cross and diagonally as well) and reaches a top speed of 3,7 MHP (5,5 km/h) – meaning that it moves at pace of average persons walk.

Honda’s chairman Takanobu Ito commented that “And if my legs get a little weak, I would like to have one of these around the house. It makes it easy to move about.”. We guess he has a big house… Honda did not want to comment on price and availability of the U3-X nor any plans to produce similar versions of power wheel chair or electric wheel chair devices like toyota i-swing where user sits and leans back on it…

See link to video on the next page.

To see video of U3-X in action (looks like a lots of fun, and very simple), click here.

New electric wheelchair is called Rodem. User sits on the four-wheeled wheelchair similar like on scooter. User rests his knees and chest on the cushions, steering the wheelchair with a joystick wile holding on to motorbike-style handles. The result is that user feels less load on their body.  

The whole new approach to electric wheelchair design allows users to mount the device more easily, and dismount it quickly and with less strain and pain as well. Target audience are elderly, hospitalized for smaller injuries which prevent them from freely moving around without help. Rodem is lessening reliance on care-givers to lift these patients.

Rodem promises greater mobility. Its prototype was demonstrated in the medical university in Tokyo. The two main wheels of the Rodem are independently driven by a control valve type lead battery. Autonomy of the electric wheelchair is around four hours per charge. Maximum moving speed is 6km/h, but can be set to lower limits as well. The dimensions of the Rodem are equivalent to the size of a normal wheelchair, and it weights about 200 lbs (100kg). It also features small minimum turning diameter.

While western nation’s (and Japan’s) populations are growing fast, and these kind of nursing robots are intended for them, the inventors say they have no immediate plans to commercialize the new vehicle. Their primary goal is to meet and exceed the governmental safety standards, but they remain open to offers from private companies.

TMsuk Robotic’s president  Yoichi Takamoto said the Rodem may also be used by people who are not disabled to simply ride and enjoy. Takamoto added that Rodem was too simple to be called a robot at this point in time, but that it may evolve into one by adding new robot-like features like example, that it comes to your bedside when you call for it.

Future is in deed interesting for next generation of electric wheelchairs, as Toyota recently showed off a mind controlled electric wheelchair, while other researchers announced wifi controlled wheelchair…

User still needs to attach sensor grid on the head. The EEG sensor cap  measures electrical activity in the brain through five electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes. These are placed above the areas of the brain which handle motor movement. The sensors interpret the signals they pick up and translate them into motion.   System processes thought patterns without learning or training and translates them into movement of wheelchair. Electric wheelchair can accordingly move left, right or forward. Sensory system is processing data in real time, so delay between the thought and action of wheelchair is less than 125 ms. Competitive solutions require substantially more time – growing to seconds, which makes movement less natural and more difficult. Toyota’s solution (well, actually Toyota is only a sponsor of researchers from BSI-Toyota collaboration center) does not require the driver to learn special “signals”, but instead this mind-controlled electrical wheelchair will move forward when driver thinks of walking. According to Toyota the wheelchair is able to understand a record 95% of all commands coming from the drivers.

Toyota representatives described growing demand on similar accessibility products by Japan’s growing older population (in 40 years the percentage of seniors will account for more than 40% of Japanese population). Thinking is natural, and requires less learning so  brain-machine interface system will be more robust and simpler than voice-controlled system. System even “learns” by analyzing the behavior of the driver, which means that driver can improve the accuracy over time.

Japan has been always very strong in advanced robotics, and recent encourage by government fueled new research and development even further. It comes as no surprise, that other Japanese companies like Honda and Hitachi, are also working on brain-wave-machine technologies.

Though the brain-machine interface technology is still in developmental stages, Toyota researchers are hoping their electric wheelchair interface will be useful for rehabilitation and for support of people who use the vehicles, and also as a mean of assisting a rapidly aging population. Toyota’s system works excellent. Beside brain-wave commands, it also incorporates some basic motor controls. As you can see on video below an emergency stop can be commanded by puffing out a cheek.

Original story published here (in Japanese).

Related reading:

For its initial test, there were 100 patients with multiple sclerosis and brain diseases at a Boston Home in Dorchester who tried out this system. Other considerations for improvement are still studied at MIT by other scientists involved in this project that uses Wi-Fi like side-field cameras and laser range finders setup with computers to create an internal map around the environment as the user moves around, even outdoors. Roy also thought about adding collision-avoidance system that uses detectors for the wheelchair to refrain from bumping into walls and other wheelchairs, as well as other obstacles.

Another MIT scientist involved in this project, Seth Teller says, he is thinking about adding mechanical arms on the chairs for more use by the patients to pick up and hold objects, including how to switch on a light or drink from a cup. Because of this system, the electric wheelchair becomes for personalized and customized to suit the needs of the user, taking note of the important places that where the patient goes on a daily basis.

This robotic wheelchair can be very useful for those who can’t use their hands to manipulate their wheelchair. Nokia and Microsoft have collaborated in funding for this research.

Topchair uses different approach to conquering the stairs, as it uses rubber tracks similar to those found in tanks. This technology allows Topchair motorized wheel chair to go up or down the 20 cm high step (8 inch) made from metal or wood or concrete with maximum slope of 33° (65%). It does so while user sits comfortably and safely onboard without any help of  fixed structure like a ramp and with no need for an attendant.

Topchair uses two 60 Ah gel batteries, allowing it 35 km driving authonomy or over 300 steps in a single charge.

This stair walking wheelchair also got the prestigius 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Innovation in the European mobility aids markets. You can get more information on manufacturer’s website.

The difference between a normal or electric chair and their heavy duty counterparts lies mainly in the construction.  A conventional wheelchair will work soundly for many years on pavement, asphalt and indoors.  They are meant for mainly urban and suburban environments.  But try and take a conventional model down a trail, or over other bumpy terrain, and more than likely it can break.

A heavy duty wheelchair doesn’t have that problem.  In fact, it was made for just such challenges.  It can go down trails and other difficult terrain just as easily as it can coast over smooth pavement.  Stronger construction, the inclusion of a suspension, sturdier tires and more durable materials make heavy duty wheelchairs almost indestructible.  And, thanks to the increase in strength, heavy duty models can carry a much heavier payload, too. There are even electric wheelchairs rugged for heavy users.

Just like that truck you had when you were younger, these models will last and last.  You don’t need to change who you are just because you are handicapped.  See for yourself just how big the world still is.