SWADAPT1: assessment of an electric wheelchair-driving robotic module in standardized circuits: a prospective, controlled repeated measure design pilot study

Abstract

Objectives The objective of this study is to highlight the effect of a robotic driver assistance module of powered wheelchair (PWC), using infrared sensors and accessorizing a commercial wheelchair) on the reduction of the number of collisions in standardized circuit in a population with neurological disorders by comparing driving performance with and without assistance. Methods This is a prospective, single-center, controlled, repeated measure design, single-blind pilot study including patients with neurological disabilities who are usual drivers of electric wheelchairs. The main criterion for evaluating the device is the number of collisions with and without the assistance of a prototype anti-collision system on three circuits of increasing complexity. Travel times, cognitive load, driving performance, and user satisfaction are also analyzed. Results 23 Patients, 11 women and 12 men with a mean age of 48 years old completed the study. There was a statistically significant reduction in the number of collisions on the most complex circuit: 61% experienced collisions without assistance versus 39% with assistance (p = 0.038). Conclusion This study concludes that the PWC driving assistance module is efficient in terms of safety without reducing the speed of movement in a population of people with disabilities who are habitual wheelchair drivers. The prospects are therefore to conduct tests on a target population with driving failure or difficulty who could benefit from this device so as to allow them to travel independently and safely.

Evaluation of power wheelchair driving performance in simulator compared to driving in real-life situations: the SIMADAPT (simulator ADAPT) project—a pilot study

“…Three real circuits intended to assess the driving performances with PWC in indoor situations have been defined according to [ 23 , 26 – 28 ]. The first circuit (C1) is composed of several basic tasks such as driving forwards (10 m) and backwards (2 m), turning in place and while moving forwards (90°).…”

“…Even though this study does not deal with the use of the simulator for learning to drive, this is the final objective of this device. We proposed to regular PWC users with neurological disorders to test this simulator prototype on a driving task in a 3D virtual environment replicating 3 real standardized driving circuits [ 23 ].…”

Assistive Robotic Technologies for Next-Generation Smart Wheelchairs: Codesign and Modularity to Improve Users’ Quality of Life

“…The results of this trial indicate that the proposed assistance solutions are accurate, risk averse, and safe, with a high degree of acceptability. Moreover, even if the participants were already expert drivers, the study has shown that the use of the assistance module statistically significantly reduced the number of collisions during complex maneuvers [6]. The protocol followed during the SWADAPT2 clinical trial was similar to that of SWADAPT1, but 28 users with driving difficulties took part in it.…”

“…The preferences and priorities have been identified by our clinical partners, and they have been translated into a range of functional requirements and technical specifications (see Figure 1 for an excerpt). On this basis, we have devised five standardized obstacle courses of growing complexity, which have been used during our clinical trials [6]. They cover a fairly large spectrum of maneuvers and real-life situations, such as corridor following, entering and reversing out of an elevator, moving up a slope, descending a curb ramp, and so on.…”

“…PAMELA is equipped with a modular platform that can be used to replicate gentle slopes (around 10º) and negative obstacles (with a roughly 30-cm drop). We constructed the circuit shown in Figure 11, which consists of static components (e.g., a door, a narrow passageway, and an elevator) that have been identified as relevant for this case study by clinicians [6]. The circuit is composed of lightweight cardboard sheets to ensure participants' safety in case of collisions.…”