Journal of Physiotherapy Research

Top Journals On Sports Physiotherapy

Approximately 25 million people in the United States (11.4 percent) have had an ambulatory disability, whereby 2.7 million reported using a wheelchair or similar device . The needs of most users are met by traditional manual or power-driven wheelchairs. However, a portion of the users have found it difficult to use traditional wheelchairs independently . For example, those users could be individuals with visual issues, upper body physical impairments (e.g., ataxia, tremors), or cognitive deficits. Since 1980, researchers have been developing technologies for smart wheelchairs (SWs) and continue to do so today. Smart wheelchairs could maximize the human potential of users to live more independently than they could ever have imagined. Simpson has defined the SW as a standard power wheelchair with a computer and a collection of sensors or a mobile robot-base with an added seat. This integrated device allows independent mobility, as well as other functions, such as communication, telehealth monitoring or safety surveillance . The degree of intelligence of the SW is based on its ability to perceive its environment through its sensors . Simpson conducted a literature review and listed a large number of SWs; Leaman and La [4] updated this listing in 2017. From this extensive list, he identified common components of each SW: (a) type of form, (b) input methods, (c) sensors, (d) control software, (e) operating modes, and (f) internal map [2] Early on, SWs utilized mobile robots with seats; however, the form typically used today is a power-driven wheelchair with advanced technology. There are also “add-on” units that may be attached to the underlying power systems. The biggest advantage to the add-on units is to invest in the system one time and use it with multiple chairs over a lifetime. Traditional input methods may be used, such as joysticks or pneumatic switches . Other advanced methods include voice control, user sight activation through electrooculographic (EOG) activity, or the use of machine vision . Sensors on SWs are important for avoidance of environmental objects and clearance through narrow pathways, such as doorways. The sensors may use ultrasonic acoustic range finder, infrared light range finder, laser range finder, laser striper, or computer vision system . Although the ultrasonic and infrared finders are less expensive, they have difficulty with reading stairs, curbs, or potholes. The two laser types of sensors are more expensive and require more power. Greater control at a reasonable price is the computer vision system, which uses small video cameras for landmark detection

Google Scholar citation report

Citations : 109

Journal of Physiotherapy Research received 109 citations as per Google Scholar report

Journal of Physiotherapy Research

Top Journals On Sports Physiotherapy

High Impact List of Articles

Conference Proceedings

Relevant Topics in Medical Sciences

Google Scholar citation report

Citations : 109

Journal of Physiotherapy Research peer review process verified at publons

Abstracted/Indexed in

Open Access Journals