Extending a smart wheelchair navigation by stress sensors

Abstract

This paper discusses the adaptation of a novel bionic approach of AI to an Assisted Powered Wheelchair (APW) controller, in order to facilitate its driving by people with severe impairments. The control unit offers three modes of operation and this proposal refers to the second control that assists the wheelchair user in driving tasks like passing a door or avoiding obstacles. The user’s psychic condition is considered in the APW navigation decision and it is determined by a stress detection system composed by electrocardiogram and skin conductance sensors. The control unit has to deal with environmental and stress data and must trigger actuating commands. The prototype implementation will be done within the platform STAGE and afterwards it will be embedded in a real powered wheelchair.