Wheelchair Simulator Selecting Optimal Wheelchair Control

Objective: For persons with severe motor impairment an electrical wheelchair is essential to support mobility, enlarge their independence and social participation. Also, especially for children, being less dependent of others is very important for their general development. For therapists it is difficult to determine which control device is optimal for an individual. Can the child make better use of the hand, head, chin or foot? Which position is optimal to place the selected device? Often practical try and error is the only way to decide. As a result the wheelchair needs several adaptations before the final decision can be made. It would be very beneficial when the therapist has the opportunity to consider the best option in advance. The objective of this research is the development of technology (wheelchair simulator) to support the assessment of electrical wheelchair driving in order to assist the selection of an optimal device for controlling an electrical wheelchair, to determine the accurate placement of the device, and to support training of wheelchair driving. Main content: Together with therapists of two children's rehabilitation centers, we started a project for the development of a simulation concept, involving both hardware and software. An inventory study has been carried out to gather information on the required functionality and specifications for the technology. Most important specifications were: software for the execution of specific tasks related to basic wheelchair driving, a hardware concept to easily exchange control devices, and storage and presentation of task performance for comparing and selecting optimal control. Based on the specifications a sample prototype was developed. This sample has been evaluated and discussed with therapists of the two centers. The outcomes were used to optimize the prototype. Field experiments with therapists and children have been carried out with the optimized prototype. The results were used for the finalization of the wheelchair simulation concept. Results: A software program and computer setup have been developed. Program and setup are compatible with standard PCs. For quick testing the therapist can very easily exchange different control devices via the USB bus interface. The program contains several tasks similar to games. For example there are tasks to measure and train children's capabilities related to reaction, positioning, navigation and steering. Results of the task execution will be stored and performance scores of different control devices, also in time, can be graphically showed and compared. Conclusions: The wheelchair simulator, software program and computer setup, help the therapist in making the right choice for the optimal control element and the accurate placement of the device. A child can train the basic skills of electrical wheelchair driving. Evaluations in the children's rehabilitation centers have shown the added value.