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Types of Self Control Wheelchairs Many people with disabilities utilize self-controlled wheelchairs for getting around. These chairs are ideal for daily mobility and are able to climb up hills and other obstacles. They also have large rear flat, shock-absorbing nylon tires. The speed of translation of the wheelchair was determined by using a local potential field method. Each feature vector was fed to an Gaussian encoder, which outputs a discrete probabilistic distribution. The evidence that was accumulated was used to generate visual feedback, as well as an instruction was issued when the threshold was reached. Wheelchairs with hand-rims The type of wheels a wheelchair has can impact its maneuverability and ability to traverse different terrains. Wheels with hand-rims can help reduce strain on the wrist and improve comfort for the user. Wheel rims for wheelchairs can be made of aluminum, steel, or plastic and are available in a variety of sizes. They can be coated with vinyl or rubber to provide better grip. Some are designed ergonomically, with features like shapes that fit the user's closed grip and wide surfaces that allow full-hand contact. This allows them to distribute pressure more evenly, and prevents fingertip pressing. A recent study found that flexible hand rims reduce impact forces and wrist and finger flexor activity during wheelchair propulsion. These rims also have a larger gripping area than standard tubular rims. This lets the user apply less pressure while still maintaining the rim's stability and control. They are available at most online retailers and DME providers. The study's results revealed that 90% of the respondents who had used the rims were satisfied with them. It is important to keep in mind that this was an email survey of those who bought hand rims from Three Rivers Holdings, and not all wheelchair users suffering from SCI. The survey did not assess any actual changes in pain levels or symptoms. It only assessed whether people perceived the difference. These rims can be ordered in four different designs which include the light, big, medium and the prime. The light is a round rim with a small diameter, while the oval-shaped medium and large are also available. The rims with the prime have a larger diameter and a more ergonomically designed gripping area. All of these rims are placed on the front of the wheelchair and can be purchased in various shades, from naturalthe light tan color -to flashy blue pink, red, green or jet black. They also have quick-release capabilities and can be easily removed for cleaning or maintenance. In addition, the rims are coated with a protective vinyl or rubber coating that protects hands from sliding across the rims and causing discomfort. Wheelchairs that have a tongue drive Researchers at Georgia Tech developed a system that allows people in wheelchairs to control other devices and control them by using their tongues. It is made up of a tiny tongue stud with an electronic strip that transmits movement signals from the headset to the mobile phone. The smartphone then converts the signals into commands that control a wheelchair or other device. The prototype was tested with able-bodied people and spinal cord injury patients in clinical trials. To assess the effectiveness of this system, a group of able-bodied people used it to complete tasks that measured input speed and accuracy. They completed tasks based on Fitts' law, including keyboard and mouse use, and maze navigation tasks using both the TDS and a standard joystick. The prototype was equipped with an emergency override red button and a companion was with the participants to press it if necessary. The TDS worked just as well as a traditional joystick. In another test, the TDS was compared to the sip and puff system. This lets people with tetraplegia to control their electric wheelchairs by blowing or sucking into straws. The TDS was able to complete tasks three times faster, and with greater accuracy than the sip-and-puff system. In fact the TDS was able to drive a wheelchair more precisely than even a person with tetraplegia that is able to control their chair using a specially designed joystick. The TDS could track tongue position with a precision of less than 1 millimeter. It also included a camera system that captured a person's eye movements to detect and interpret their motions. Safety features for software were also included, which verified the validity of inputs from users twenty times per second. Interface modules would automatically stop the wheelchair if they did not receive a valid direction control signal from the user within 100 milliseconds. The next step for the team is to try the TDS on people with severe disabilities. They are partnering with the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta-based hospital for catastrophic care, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to conduct these tests. They are planning to enhance their system's tolerance for ambient lighting conditions, to include additional camera systems, and to enable the repositioning of seats. Wheelchairs with joysticks With a power wheelchair that comes with a joystick, clients can operate their mobility device with their hands without needing to use their arms. It can be mounted in the middle of the drive unit or on either side. The screen can also be added to provide information to the user. Some of these screens have a big screen and are backlit to provide better visibility. Others are small and may have pictures or symbols to assist the user. The joystick can be adjusted to fit different hand sizes and grips and also the distance of the buttons from the center. As power wheelchair technology evolved as it did, clinicians were able create driver controls that allowed clients to maximize their functional potential. These innovations allow them to accomplish this in a manner that is comfortable for end users. For example, a standard joystick is a proportional input device that uses the amount of deflection on its gimble to provide an output that grows when you push it. This is similar to how video game controllers and accelerator pedals in cars work. However, this system requires good motor control, proprioception and finger strength to function effectively. wheelchair self propelled mymobilityscooters is a second type of control that relies on the position of a person's mouth to determine the direction to steer. A tongue stud that is magnetic transmits this information to the headset which can perform up to six commands. It can be used for people with tetraplegia and quadriplegia. As compared to the standard joysticks, some alternative controls require less force and deflection to operate, which is especially useful for people with weak fingers or a limited strength. Certain controls can be operated by just one finger which is perfect for those who have little or no movement in their hands. Some control systems come with multiple profiles, which can be modified to meet the requirements of each user. This can be important for a new user who might require changing the settings periodically in the event that they feel fatigued or have an illness flare-up. This is useful for those who are experienced and want to change the settings that are set for a specific environment or activity. Wheelchairs with steering wheels Self-propelled wheelchairs can be utilized by those who have to move on flat surfaces or up small hills. They come with large rear wheels that allow the user to hold onto as they move themselves. Hand rims allow users to utilize their upper body strength and mobility to guide the wheelchair forward or backwards. Self-propelled chairs can be fitted with a range of accessories including seatbelts and drop-down armrests. They may also have legrests that swing away. Certain models can be converted into Attendant Controlled Wheelchairs, which allow family members and caregivers to drive and control wheelchairs for users who require more assistance. Three wearable sensors were connected to the wheelchairs of participants in order to determine the kinematic parameters. These sensors tracked movements for a period of a week. The gyroscopic sensors on the wheels and one attached to the frame were used to measure the distances and directions that were measured by the wheel. To discern between straight forward movements and turns, periods of time during which the velocity differences between the left and right wheels were less than 0.05m/s was deemed straight. Turns were further studied in the remaining segments, and turning angles and radii were calculated based on the reconstructed wheeled path. The study involved 14 participants. They were tested for accuracy in navigation and command latency. They were asked to maneuver the wheelchair through four different wayspoints in an ecological field. During navigation tests, sensors followed the wheelchair's trajectory over the entire route. Each trial was repeated twice. After each trial, participants were asked to choose the direction that the wheelchair was to move within. The results revealed that the majority participants were competent in completing the navigation tasks, though they didn't always follow the correct directions. They completed 47 percent of their turns correctly. The remaining 23% their turns were either stopped directly after the turn, wheeled a later turning turn, or was superseded by a simple movement. These results are similar to previous studies.