Abstract:
A smart wheelchair (SW) is a power wheelchair (PW) to which computers, sensors,
and assistive technology are attached. In the past decade, there has been little effort to
provide a systematic review of SW research. This paper aims to provide a complete
state-of-the-art overview of SW research trends. We expect that the information
gathered in this study will enhance awareness of the status of contemporary PW as
well as SW technology, and increase the functional mobility of people who use
PWs.We systematically present the international SW research effort, starting with an
introduction to power wheelchairs and the communities they serve. Then we discuss
in detail the SW and associated technological innovations with an emphasis on the
most researched areas, generating the most interest for future research and
development. We conclude with our vision for the future of SW research and how to
best serve people with all types of disabilities.
