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Types of Self Control Wheelchairs Many people with disabilities utilize self-controlled wheelchairs to get around. These chairs are ideal for daily mobility and can easily overcome obstacles and hills. The chairs also feature large rear shock-absorbing nylon tires which are flat-free. The speed of translation of wheelchairs was calculated using the local field potential method. Each feature vector was fed into an Gaussian decoder, which output a discrete probability distribution. The evidence accumulated was used to control the visual feedback, and a signal was issued when the threshold was attained. Wheelchairs with hand rims The type of wheels a wheelchair has can affect its maneuverability and ability to traverse various terrains. Wheels with hand-rims can reduce strain on the wrist and improve comfort for the user. Wheel rims for wheelchairs may be made from aluminum, steel, or plastic and come in different sizes. They can be coated with vinyl or rubber to improve grip. Some are ergonomically designed, with features like shapes that fit the user's closed grip and broad surfaces to allow full-hand contact. This allows them to distribute pressure more evenly and avoids pressing the fingers. Recent research has shown that flexible hand rims reduce impact forces as well as wrist and finger flexor activities during wheelchair propulsion. They also have a greater gripping area than tubular rims that are standard. This allows the user to exert less pressure while maintaining good push rim stability and control. These rims can be found at a wide range of online retailers as well as DME providers. The study showed that 90% of respondents were happy with the rims. It is important to note that this was an email survey for people who purchased hand rims at Three Rivers Holdings, and not all wheelchair users suffering from SCI. The survey did not assess any actual changes in pain levels or symptoms. It only assessed the degree to which people felt a difference. Four different models are available The large, medium and light. The light is a small-diameter round rim, while the big and medium are oval-shaped. The rims that are prime have a larger diameter and an ergonomically shaped gripping area. All of these rims can be installed on the front of the wheelchair and can be purchased in different shades, from naturalthe light tan color — to flashy blue, green, red, pink, or jet black. They also have quick-release capabilities and can be easily removed to clean or for maintenance. The rims are protected by rubber or vinyl coating to prevent the hands from sliding and causing discomfort. Wheelchairs with tongue drive Researchers at Georgia Tech developed a system that allows people who use wheelchairs to control other electronic devices and maneuver it by using their tongues. It is comprised of a small magnetic tongue stud that transmits signals from movement to a headset containing wireless sensors and a mobile phone. The smartphone converts the signals to commands that can be used to control a device such as a wheelchair. The prototype was tested with healthy people and spinal injured patients in clinical trials. To test the performance, a group able-bodied people performed tasks that tested input accuracy and speed. Fitts’ law was used to complete tasks like keyboard and mouse usage, and maze navigation using both the TDS joystick and standard joystick. The prototype had a red emergency override button, and a friend accompanied the participants to press it when required. The TDS worked as well as a standard joystick. In lightweight self folding mobility scooters mymobilityscooters that was conducted, the TDS was compared with the sip and puff system. It lets those with tetraplegia to control their electric wheelchairs by blowing or sucking into a straw. The TDS was able to perform tasks three times faster and with greater accuracy than the sip-and-puff system. The TDS is able to drive wheelchairs with greater precision than a person suffering from Tetraplegia who controls their chair with a joystick. The TDS could track the position of the tongue to a precise level of less than one millimeter. It also had cameras that recorded the movements of an individual's eyes to interpret and detect their motions. It also came with security features in the software that inspected for valid inputs from the user 20 times per second. Interface modules would automatically stop the wheelchair if they did not receive an appropriate direction control signal from the user within 100 milliseconds. The next step is testing the TDS with people with severe disabilities. To conduct these trials they have formed a partnership with The Shepherd Center which is a critical health center in Atlanta, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. They plan to improve the system's sensitivity to ambient lighting conditions and to include additional camera systems, and allow repositioning to accommodate different seating positions. Joysticks on wheelchairs With a wheelchair powered with a joystick, clients can operate their mobility device with their hands without having to use their arms. It can be placed in the middle of the drive unit or on either side. The screen can also be used to provide information to the user. Some of these screens have a large screen and are backlit for better visibility. Some screens are small and may have pictures or symbols that can assist the user. The joystick can also be adjusted for different hand sizes grips, sizes and distances between the buttons. As power wheelchair technology has evolved in recent years, clinicians have been able to develop and modify alternative controls for drivers to enable patients to maximize their potential for functional improvement. These advancements enable them to do this in a way that is comfortable for end users. For instance, a standard joystick is a proportional input device that uses the amount of deflection that is applied to its gimble in order to produce an output that grows as you exert force. This is similar to the way that accelerator pedals or video game controllers work. This system requires excellent motor function, proprioception and finger strength to function effectively. A tongue drive system is a different type of control that uses the position of a person's mouth to determine the direction to steer. A magnetic tongue stud transmits this information to a headset, which executes up to six commands. It is a great option for people with tetraplegia and quadriplegia. In comparison to the standard joystick, certain alternative controls require less force and deflection to operate, which is particularly beneficial for those with weak fingers or a limited strength. Some controls can be operated with only one finger which is perfect for those with very little or no movement of their hands. Certain control systems also have multiple profiles, which can be adjusted to meet the specific needs of each user. This is essential for those who are new to the system and may need to adjust the settings frequently when they feel fatigued or experience a flare-up in an illness. This is beneficial for experienced users who wish to alter the parameters that are set for a specific setting or activity. Wheelchairs with steering wheels Self-propelled wheelchairs are designed to accommodate people who require to maneuver themselves along flat surfaces as well as up small hills. They have large rear wheels that allow the user to hold onto while they propel themselves. Hand rims enable the user to use their upper-body strength and mobility to steer a wheelchair forward or backwards. Self-propelled chairs can be fitted with a range of accessories like seatbelts as well as dropdown armrests. They may also have legrests that can swing away. Some models can also be converted into Attendant Controlled Wheelchairs that can help caregivers and family members drive and operate the wheelchair for users that need more assistance. Three wearable sensors were attached to the wheelchairs of participants in order to determine the kinematics parameters. The sensors monitored movement for a week. The gyroscopic sensors mounted on the wheels and fixed to the frame were used to determine the distances and directions of the wheels. To distinguish between straight forward movements and turns, the time intervals during which the velocities of the right and left wheels differed by less than 0.05 milliseconds were deemed to be straight. Turns were then investigated in the remaining segments and the angles and radii of turning were calculated based on the reconstructed wheeled path. A total of 14 participants participated in this study. Participants were evaluated on their navigation accuracy and command latencies. They were asked to maneuver the wheelchair through four different wayspoints on an ecological experiment field. During navigation tests, sensors monitored the wheelchair's trajectory throughout the entire route. Each trial was repeated at least twice. After each trial, the participants were asked to pick the direction that the wheelchair was to move in. The results revealed that the majority of participants were able to complete the navigation tasks, even though they were not always following the right directions. In average 47% of turns were completed correctly. The remaining 23% their turns were either stopped immediately after the turn, or wheeled in a subsequent moving turn, or was superseded by a simple movement. These results are similar to the results of previous studies.