ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTS OF A SEMIAUTONOMOUS WHEELCHAIR

A new smart, sensor-assisted wheelchair system for the vocational reha bilitation of people with severe and multiple handicap has been develo ped in the research project OMNI within the CEC TIDE programme. The pr oject finished in December 1996. The objective of the project was the development of an advanced wheelchair with omnidirectional manoeuvrabi lity and navigational intelligence that is well suited for vocational rehabilitation. It provides an opportunity of intuitive wheelchair con trol to people with severe physical or multiple (incl. mental) handica p. Cramped offices are made accessible by the small outline, high mobi lity and navigational support of the chair. The user's safety and driv ing accuracy are guaranteed by a novel sensor system and navigation mo dules. A wide range of control devices can be used with the adaptable human-machine interface which also controls environmental devices. Wit hin this project, the user focused principle has strongly been followe d (this includes the involvement of users from the preparatory work to the evaluation of the results).