Wheelchairs for the disabled

Experts at the German Center for Research in the Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) have successfully developed an intelligent tool that facilitates the mobility of people with disabilities.

It is a self-controlled wheelchair called "Xenon", which can be ordered by voice.

The "Xenon" self-contained wheelchair is equipped with a scanning lazer device, a smart computer and a memory-recorder that maps the surrounding terrain, allowing the vehicle to determine its own path. The laser scanner will recognize the front obstructions and the "Xenon" can avoid obstacles while on the move.

Within the framework of the research project, DFKI Center scientists arranged for "Xenon" to move in a model apartment, structured automatically with information associated with wheelchairs. For example, the car goes from the living room to the kitchen, the door automatically opens and the lights come on. The results are absolutely positive.

In addition to the "Xenon", the DFKI also developed another vehicle, "Rollator" or "iWalker," with a navigation device. Users can pre-set their goals as well as the points they want to get into the computer.

While moving, "iWalker" will move in the direction of the arrow pointing to the loop and one wheel will be retracted for easier driving. The first test with "iWalker" was a success.