Rob Woodcock

New Technologies

Abstract:    Modern Powered Wheelchair Controls that improve interfacing to Assistive Technology Options.

Presenter:   Rob Woodcock, Quickie iQ European Technical Support Specialist
Company:  Sunrise Medical (Manufacturer)
Area:          Product Development

Background:
In today powered mobility Rehabilitation business, Standard off the shelf Wheelchair control systems are very limited and complex in their adaptations to the users needs especially with functional access and environmental controls.
IR technology is a standard way to control AV Devices in a household (TV, DVD, VCR, Computer Mouse, etc.). Power chair users historically have difficulties to control them due to their disability (operating IR remote controls or the device buttons itself), and also require excessive technical support to assist with the setting up of such products.

Aims:
A: Offer a product technology that allows the user to operate all IR controlled AV devices in a home through the input device they basically use to control their power chair anyway.
B: make this adaptation easy to use for the dealer and also for the user to change add or delete codes to control IR devices, thus reducing Technical support time and cost.
C: Offering a platform to store the customised chair data to be available any time if an adjusted control module fails

Results:
IR technology controllable by the user through their standard input device of their power chair gives them more freedom to control their environment without adding components or raising complexity.

Conclusion:
Power Chair users are now, with an off the shelf product for a power chair, able to control their environment which increases their freedom and independence.
It also supports the Internet access in an easy way for emails, telephone (communication) and information