



One of the latest attempts to build a commercially viable smart wheelchair is leveraging lessons learned from the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge
By Larry Greenemeier | December 14, 2009 | 5
Lehigh University's prototype smart wheelchair is configured with a Hokuyo Automatic UTM-30LX LiDAR , high resolution encoders and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) -enabled GPS....[More]
Lehigh University's prototype smart wheelchair is configured with a Hokuyo Automatic UTM-30LX LiDAR, high resolution encoders and Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)-enabled GPS. The chair was able to track its position to an accuracy of about 20 centimeters over a nearly one-kilometer path. [Less] [Link to this slide]
The researchers mounted their prototype on a fixture to test the software. They attached metal flywheels on the drive wheel hubs so the motors see the same load that they would see if the wheelchair were driving on the ground....[More]
The researchers mounted their prototype on a fixture to test the software. They attached metal flywheels on the drive wheel hubs so the motors see the same load that they would see if the wheelchair were driving on the ground. [Less] [Link to this slide]
This 3D LiDAR map image was taken in Bethlehem, Pa., near Lehigh's campus. This and other maps were made while driving LiDAR-equipped Little Ben around prior to testing the prototype chair....[More]
This 3D LiDAR map image was taken in Bethlehem, Pa., near Lehigh's campus. This and other maps were made while driving LiDAR-equipped Little Ben around prior to testing the prototype chair. The maps were then programmed into the prototype. [Less] [Link to this slide]
Little Ben, a Toyota Prius fitted with laser and camera sensors, competed in DARPA's 2007 Urban Challenge and was one of six cars (out of a field of 89 vehicles) that autonomously completed the 92-kilometer course, designed to mimic the challenges of city driving....[More]
Little Ben, a Toyota Prius fitted with laser and camera sensors, competed in DARPA's 2007 Urban Challenge and was one of six cars (out of a field of 89 vehicles) that autonomously completed the 92-kilometer course, designed to mimic the challenges of city driving. The smart car uses a pair of SICK LMS291 LiDARs (circled in red) to generate 3D maps. [Less] [Link to this slide]
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5 Comments
Add CommentI'm not being rude, but, with as high as this appears to be, once in it--how does the victim er, patient get out?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisREPEL?
Although this is a very important project, but I am amazed that the research is not focused on really improving manoevurability of the wheelchair....castors are useless especially when going over uneven ground or inclines. Users find it difficult to control or go in the desired direction. 20 years ago I developed a 4 wheel drive, steering wheelchair which solved this problem but could not get it in production.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSurely in this high tech environment this should be a given....If anyone is interested I still have some images of a model of a the four wheel drive/steering wheelchair
My work aims to push the envelope in wheelchair autonomy," Spletzer says. "It will not be limited to structured indoor environments. Instead, it investigates the much more difficult problem of autonomous operations in unstructured environments outdoors.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this================================
<a href="http://www.backup-sensor.com" rel="dofollow">Parking Sensors</a>
Before one year i was also in the same position. At that time for getting victim what steps do you follow. Can you please share me the information.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this................
Paul
<a href="http://www.backup-sensor.com">Parking Sensors</a>
Before one year i was also in the same position. At that time for getting victim what steps do you follow. Can you please share me the information.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this................
Paul
[url="http://www.backup-sensor.com"rel="dofollow"]Parking Sensors[/url]