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Types of Self Control Wheelchairs Self-control wheelchairs are used by many people with disabilities to move around. These chairs are great for everyday mobility and they are able to climb hills and other obstacles. They also have large rear flat, shock-absorbing nylon tires. The velocity of translation for wheelchairs was calculated using the local field potential method. Each feature vector was fed to a Gaussian encoder, which outputs a discrete probabilistic distribution. The accumulated evidence was used to drive the visual feedback and a signal was issued when the threshold was reached. Wheelchairs with hand rims The type of wheels a wheelchair has can affect its maneuverability and ability to navigate different terrains. Wheels with hand-rims can reduce strain on the wrist and improve comfort for the user. Wheel rims for wheelchairs may be made of aluminum, plastic, or steel and are available in various sizes. They can be coated with rubber or vinyl to provide better grip. Some are ergonomically designed with features such as a shape that fits the user's closed grip and wide surfaces to allow full-hand contact. This allows them distribute pressure more evenly, and avoids pressing the fingers. A recent study found that flexible hand rims reduce the impact force and wrist and finger flexor activity during wheelchair propulsion. They also have a wider gripping area than standard tubular rims. This allows the user to exert less pressure while maintaining good push rim stability and control. They are available at many online retailers and DME providers. The study showed that 90% of respondents were happy with the rims. It is important to remember that this was an email survey of people who purchased hand rims at Three Rivers Holdings, and not all wheelchair users suffering from SCI. The survey did not assess any actual changes in the severity of pain or symptoms. It simply measured the extent to which people noticed an improvement. There are four models available: the light, medium and big. The light is a small round rim, whereas the medium and big are oval-shaped. The rims with the prime have a larger diameter and a more ergonomically designed gripping area. These rims can be mounted to the front wheel of the wheelchair in various colors. These include natural, a light tan, and flashy greens, blues pinks, reds, and jet black. They also have quick-release capabilities and are easily removed to clean or maintain. The rims have a protective rubber or vinyl coating to prevent the hands from slipping and causing discomfort. Wheelchairs with tongue drive Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new system that lets users maneuver a wheelchair and control other electronic devices by moving their tongues. It is comprised of a small magnetic tongue stud that relays signals from movement to a headset containing wireless sensors as well as the mobile phone. The phone converts the signals into commands that can control devices like a wheelchair. The prototype was tested on able-bodied individuals as well as in clinical trials with patients who have spinal cord injuries. To test the performance of this system, a group of physically able people used it to complete tasks that tested accuracy and speed of input. Fitts’ law was used to complete tasks, such as keyboard and mouse usage, and maze navigation using both the TDS joystick and the standard joystick. A red emergency override stop button was included in the prototype, and a second participant was able to hit the button in case of need. The TDS performed just as a normal joystick. Another test compared the TDS against the sip-and-puff system. It allows people with tetraplegia control their electric wheelchairs by blowing air into a straw. The TDS completed tasks three times more quickly, and with greater accuracy, than the sip-and puff system. The TDS can drive wheelchairs more precisely than a person with Tetraplegia who controls their chair with a joystick. The TDS could track tongue position with the precision of less than one millimeter. It also had cameras that could record a person's eye movements to identify and interpret their movements. Software safety features were integrated, which checked valid inputs from users 20 times per second. If a valid signal from a user for UI direction control was not received after 100 milliseconds, the interface module immediately stopped the wheelchair. The next step for the team is testing the TDS on people who have severe disabilities. They are partnering with the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta-based hospital for catastrophic care, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to conduct these trials. They intend to improve their system's ability to handle ambient lighting conditions, and to add additional camera systems and to enable the repositioning of seats. Wheelchairs with a joystick A power wheelchair with a joystick lets users control their mobility device without relying on their arms. It can be mounted in the middle of the drive unit or on the opposite side. The screen can also be used to provide information to the user. Some of these screens have a large screen and are backlit for better visibility. Some screens are small and others may contain images or symbols that could assist the user. The joystick can be adjusted to suit different sizes of hands and grips and also the distance of the buttons from the center. As power wheelchair technology evolved as it did, clinicians were able create driver controls that allowed clients to maximize their functional potential. These advances enable them to do this in a way that is comfortable for users. For instance, a standard joystick is a proportional input device which uses the amount of deflection on its gimble to produce an output that grows as you exert force. This is similar to how accelerator pedals or video game controllers operate. This system requires excellent motor function, proprioception and finger strength to function effectively. Another type of control is the tongue drive system, which relies on the location of the tongue to determine where to steer. A magnetic tongue stud sends this information to a headset which can execute up to six commands. It is a great option to assist people suffering from tetraplegia or quadriplegia. As compared to the standard joysticks, some alternatives require less force and deflection to operate, which is especially useful for people with limited strength or finger movement. Some controls can be operated by just one finger, which is ideal for those who have very little or no movement of their hands. In addition, some control systems come with multiple profiles that can be customized to meet the specific needs of each customer. This is important for those who are new to the system and may have to alter the settings periodically when they are feeling tired or are experiencing a flare-up of an illness. This is helpful for experienced users who want to change the settings set for a particular environment or activity. Wheelchairs that have a steering wheel Self-propelled wheelchairs can be used by people who need to move themselves on flat surfaces or up small hills. They feature large wheels on the rear to allow the user's grip to propel themselves. Hand rims enable the user to make use of their upper body strength and mobility to steer a wheelchair forward or backward. My Mobility Scooters -propelled wheelchairs come with a range of accessories, including seatbelts that can be dropped down, dropdown armrests and swing away leg rests. Some models can be converted into Attendant Controlled Wheelchairs that can help caregivers and family members drive and operate the wheelchair for users that need more assistance. To determine kinematic parameters the wheelchairs of participants were fitted with three sensors that tracked movement throughout the entire week. The wheeled distances were measured with the gyroscopic sensors mounted on the frame and the one mounted on the wheels. To distinguish between straight-forward motions and turns, periods in which the velocity of the right and left wheels differed by less than 0.05 m/s were considered to be straight. The remaining segments were analyzed for turns, and the reconstructed paths of the wheel were used to calculate the turning angles and radius. A total of 14 participants took part in this study. They were tested for navigation accuracy and command latency. They were asked to navigate in a wheelchair across four different wayspoints on an ecological experimental field. During navigation trials, sensors tracked the wheelchair's path across the entire course. Each trial was repeated at minimum twice. After each trial participants were asked to choose which direction the wheelchair should be moving. The results showed that the majority of participants were able to complete the navigation tasks, though they were not always following the proper directions. They completed 47 percent of their turns correctly. The remaining 23% either stopped immediately following the turn or wheeled into a subsequent moving turning, or replaced by another straight movement. These results are similar to the results of previous studies.