Citation

Kim CG, Song BS. Biomed. Eng. Lett. 2013; 3(1): 47-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s13534-013-0088-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

PURPOSE: Highly disable patients, who use the powered wheelchair, require an autonomous wheelchair for movement. Fundamental problem of the autonomous wheelchairs is safety. In order to dodge the obstacles, efficient searching method of the obstacles is necessary.

METHODS: The proposed method utilizes multiple ultrasound emitters that generate signals of identical frequency and intensity. Corresponding sensors detect the reflected ultrasound signals, and the position of the obstacle is calculated based on the time of flight (TOF) of the ultrasound wave. It was carried out the obstacle searching experiments with proposed method.

RESULTS: The results showed that the proposed method's errors are within 1~2% which is much lesser than the general scan method. Therefore, the proposed method is suitable for autonomous wheelchairs as it facilitates detection of the nearest obstacle, and yields more accurate estimation of the position.

CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the proposed method based on a simultaneous emission strategy is suitable for autonomous wheelchairs as it facilitates detection of the nearest obstacle, and yields more accurate estimation of the position. 2013 Korean Society of Medical and Biological Engineering and Springer.

Language: en

Keywords

Wheelchairs; Patient rehabilitation; Ultrasonic applications; Ultrasonic waves; Ultrasonics