Wheelchair controlled by head

Tran Ngoc Hieu, a student of the Department of Mechatronics, Saigon University of Technology has successfully built a wheelchair controlled by a head for the disabled who unfortunately lost both hands and feet.

Witnessing his cousin lying in a struggling place in pain but still longing to go back, Hieu spent the day and night researching and finally building a wheelchair controlled by his head in the suspicion of everyone.

Smart car

This wheelchair weighs about 25kg, the traveling speed is about 6 km / h. The car has an electronic set of infrared sensors, 6 chips dedicated to decoding infrared signals, ultrasonic transmitter, phone control chip, stepper motor controller, audio amplifier circuit used in music and call mode; two batteries, switches, and mobile phones fixed to contact when needed, night lighting systems. The control section has a lot of modes for users to choose from and is displayed on the phone screen such as driving mode, night lighting, mosquito repellent switch, phone use .

Tran Ngoc Hieu's wheelchair was not completed in time for his cousin to use.

It operates based on coordinates in space thanks to the use of infrared rays to help locate the movement of the head to choose the direction of movement (left - right, front - back) without using the hand or foot. Specifically, want to turn left, the operator only needs to look left; turn right then look right .

When you want to stop, just hold the head position in the normal position, immediately the entire control system stops. To ensure the operation of the vehicle, Hieu used 'brain' as a programming chip (ATmega 32 of AVR series with 32kb of memory programmed to communicate, receive and process signals).

In addition to the main function of moving, this wheelchair is also fitted with ultrasound system (frequency 25KHz) to chase mosquitoes and use mobile phones (listening to music, phones, watching movies).

Continue to study version 2

The owner of this special car said, this is only version 1 and is working to produce version 2 with many features to support people with disabilities in a maximum way.

However, Hieu said it was only a dream because in the process of manufacturing wheelchairs version 1, I encountered many difficulties. 'Everyone thinks I'm working crazy. Even when he met the Dean to ask for his opinion, he was surprised and said that the 3rd year students, many people do not know what the chip is, how can I do it? ' , Hieu said.

Tran Ngoc Hieu and his friends are assembling the controller into the wheelchair.Photo: M. Linh

However, these difficulties did not discourage the student who loved this invention. Hieu makes his own parts from mechanical processing to design of transmission systems and circuits.'The hardest part is programming because I don't have a computer. Sometimes I want to give up, especially when the system does not work as I want, I don't have the budget but I think about the pain and the earnest eyes to go back even though my child's wheelchair makes me unable to not continue'.

After 5 months of research, Hieu fulfilled his brother's dream. 'Unfortunately, he has no chance to sit on this wheelchair because he left when the car was not completed' , Hieu pityed.

However, Hieu said that he still wishes to continue studying and completing wheelchairs. 'If supported with funds, I will study to have a wheelchair that can detect obstacles to help people with disabilities move easily. I want this car to be mass-produced to help alleviate unhappiness for the disabled ', Hieu said.