Description of impact
Research at the University of Portsmouth (UoP) has created new user-friendly control, navigation and communication systems for powered-wheelchairs that have made a significant and positive impact on the lives of users. These have given many disabled children and adults an opportunity for independent mobility, some for the first time.Who is affected
Wheelchair users; Specialist schools; NHS Trusts; Community groupsNarrative
Research at the UoP has resulted in new features for powered wheelchairs that included: effort-reduction, predictive and interactive Artificial Intelligence, so that children could drive for longer and in some cases for the first time. Research was based on many years of work by the Systems Engineering Research Group at the UoP into climbing and walking robots and automated guided vehicles.The systems have been used in six special schools and institutions (including RNIB and NHS) and many private homes. Economic impact in reducing the need for carers alone has been estimated at more than £250,000 p.a and the devices have also changed some professional services.
Impact status | Open |
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Category of impact | Health & Welfare Impacts, Economic & Commercial Impacts, Practitioner Impacts |
Impact level | Benefit (delivered impact) |
Keywords
- wheelchairs
- disabilities
- mobility
REF
- REF2014
Documents & Links
- Improved Mobility and Quality of Life for Children with Disabilities
File: application/pdf, 91.9 KB
Type: Text
Related content
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Research outputs
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Simple expert systems to improve an ultrasonic sensor-system for a tele-operated mobile-robot
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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New powered wheelchair systems for the rehabilitation of some severely disabled users
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Controlling wheel-chair direction on slopes
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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A new prototype intelligent mobility system to assist powered wheelchair users
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Expert system to interpret hand tremor and provide joystick position signals for powered wheelchairs with ultrasonic sensor systems
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Improving wheelchair-driving using a sensor system to control wheelchair-veer and variable-switches as an alternative to digital-switches or joysticks
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Activities
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Interpreting hand tremor to assistin driving a powered wheelchair.
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation