Project Description:

Members of the geriatric population exhibit decreased grip strength and motor coordination as compared to a healthy adult, which may lead to difficulty in utilizing a joystick interface, as is standard in many electronic wheelchair designs. As demographics shift the population includes an increasing proportion of older individuals – contributing to an increased need for a powered wheelchair interface which does not require a tight grip or well coordinated movements for manipulation. The following design incorporates magnetic sensors and a wrist-mounted magnet for detection of the position of the user’s wrist, which is then translated into motion – circumventing the need for fine manipulation.

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