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On a Roll: Autonomous Navigation Lasers and Robotics Push "Smart" Wheelchair Technology to the Cutting Edge [Slide Show]

One of the latest attempts to build a commercially viable smart wheelchair is leveraging lessons learned from the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge

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PROTOTYPE
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PROTOTYPE

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]

SOFTWARE TEST
thumb: SOFTWARE TEST

SOFTWARE TEST

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]

LIDAR MAP
thumb: LIDAR MAP

LIDAR MAP

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]

LITTLE BEN
thumb: LITTLE BEN

LITTLE BEN

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]

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5 Comments

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  1. 1. Quinn the Eskimo 10:26 PM 12/16/09

    I'm not being rude, but, with as high as this appears to be, once in it--how does the victim er, patient get out?

    REPEL?

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  2. 2. keithbound 02:23 AM 12/17/09

    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.
    Surely 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

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  3. 3. jamesstewart 09:22 AM 2/23/11

    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.
    ================================
    <a href="http://www.backup-sensor.com" rel="dofollow">Parking Sensors</a>

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  4. 4. paulfrancisnrs in reply to Quinn the Eskimo 05:48 AM 2/26/11

    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.
    ................
    Paul
    <a href="http://www.backup-sensor.com">Parking Sensors</a>

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  5. 5. paulfrancisnrs in reply to paulfrancisnrs 05:50 AM 2/26/11

    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.
    ................
    Paul
    [url="http://www.backup-sensor.com"rel="dofollow"]Parking Sensors[/url]

    Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this
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