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Dr David Punt
Developing a 'smart' wheelchair for a focused group of disabled users.
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Powered mobility has revolutionised the quality of life of many disabled people. Independent mobility is a central component of independent living and is associated with physical and mental well being. However, some individuals are unable to benefit from powered mobility because, either the severity or the particular nature of their disability renders them unable to steer a chair safely around their environment.
Around the world, a number of groups have aimed to exploit technological developments to design a 'smart' or 'intelligent' wheelchair as a means of providing a safe from of mobility to those who are currently unable to take advantage. However, attempts have not targeted a sufficiently specific patient group leading to a lack of utility for the end-product and poor prospects of commercialisation.
Additionally, where products have reached the market, costs have been prohibitive. As a results, no practical or realistic 'smart' chair currently exists.
Building on my completed published clinical research characterizing the nature of navigational difficulties in a clearly defined population, I am now working with engineering colleagues to design a chair which uses relatively inexpensive technology to provide a collision avoidance capacity to standard powered wheelchairs.
As well as providing a permanent solution for some users, the chair will also have features which allow it to be used as a training chair in rehabilitation.
More info: This project has now finished, for more information please Download the Executive Summary
