Evaluation of Powered Wheelchair with collision avoidance
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of a Powered Wheelchair with collision avoidance
IRAS ID
141444
Contact name
Matthew G Pepper
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust
Research summary
Many powered wheelchair users find it difficult to avoid collisions when driving in confined spaces - for example down narrow corridors and passing through doorways. This lack of control not only damages the fabric of the building but can also demotivate the user. As independent mobility is so important to the quality of life of the user a collision avoidance system is being developed to improve the users’ control of the powered wheelchair.
This study is part of a multi-centre European research project [SYSIASS – www.sysiass.eu] developing a Powered Wheelchair with an integrated collision avoidance system which;
- meets the users’ requirements
- encourages ongoing use of the powered wheelchair
- records the interaction of the collision avoidance system with the users joystick control commands.
The goal of this six month preliminary non-interventional evaluation of the collision avoidance system is to obtain feedback from users on the system performance and also to analyse the interaction of the collision avoidance system with the users driving intentions. This information will inform the ongoing development of the collision avoidance system.
The evaluation will take place in the NeuroRehabilitation Unit of the East Kent Hospitals Foundation Trust by volunteers who are currently powered chair users and who have been inpatients in the Unit, and who have expressed interest in being involved in the project.REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/0164
Date of REC Opinion
16 May 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion