Supervised navigation and manipulation for impaired wheelchair users

Abstract

Respectful health care for elderly or physically challenged people requires an increasing number of nursing staff. Technological developments can help to reduce the caretaking costs and increase the quality of life by providing users with appliances that allows them to regain partial independence. In this context, we are developing a wheelchair combined with a manipulator, which uses machine vision to assist patients while performing navigation and manipulation tasks. Our goal is to provide the user with the means to move freely and interact with the environment through a simple interface, which can be used by people with severe disabilities. The system does not only provide means for navigation, but also assists casualties in their rehabilitation process.