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Types of Self Control Wheelchairs Self-control wheelchairs are used by many people with disabilities to move around. These chairs are great for daily mobility and are able to climb hills and other obstacles. They also have large rear shock-absorbing nylon tires that are flat-free. The speed of translation of the wheelchair was measured using a local field-potential approach. Each feature vector was fed into a Gaussian decoder that outputs a discrete probability distribution. The evidence accumulated was used to control the visual feedback and a signal was issued when the threshold was reached. Wheelchairs with hand-rims The kind of wheels a wheelchair is able to affect its maneuverability and ability to navigate various terrains. Wheels with hand-rims reduce wrist strain and increase the comfort of the user. A wheelchair's wheel rims can be made from aluminum, plastic, or steel and are available in various sizes. They can be coated with rubber or vinyl for better grip. Some are ergonomically designed, with features such as an elongated shape that is suited to the user's closed grip and wide surfaces to allow for full-hand contact. This allows them to distribute pressure more evenly and prevents the pressure of the fingers from being too much. A recent study found that flexible hand rims reduce the impact force and wrist and finger flexor activity during wheelchair propulsion. They also offer a wider gripping surface than standard tubular rims allowing the user to use less force while still retaining excellent push-rim stability and control. These rims can be found at most online retailers and DME providers. The study's findings revealed that 90% of respondents who had used the rims were pleased with them. However it is important to keep in mind that this was a mail survey of people who purchased the hand rims from Three Rivers Holdings and did not necessarily represent all wheelchair users with SCI. The survey did not measure any actual changes in pain levels or symptoms. It simply measured the extent to which people noticed an improvement. There are four models available: the large, medium and light. The light is a small-diameter round rim, and the big and medium are oval-shaped. The prime rims are also slightly larger in diameter and have an ergonomically-shaped gripping surface. All of these rims can be placed on the front of the wheelchair and can be purchased in different colors, ranging from naturalwhich is a light tan shade — to flashy blue, green, red, pink, or jet black. They are also quick-release and can be removed for cleaning or maintenance. The rims are coated with a protective vinyl or rubber coating to stop hands from sliding off and creating discomfort. Wheelchairs with a tongue drive Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new system that allows users to maneuver a wheelchair and control other electronic devices by moving their tongues. It is comprised of a small magnetic tongue stud, which transmits signals from movement to a headset containing wireless sensors and a mobile phone. The phone converts the signals to commands that can be used to control devices like a wheelchair. The prototype was tested by disabled people and spinal cord injured patients in clinical trials. To evaluate the performance of the group, able-bodied people performed tasks that measured speed and accuracy of input. They performed tasks based on Fitts law, which included keyboard and mouse use, and a maze navigation task with both the TDS and the standard joystick. A red emergency stop button was built into the prototype, and a second accompanied participants to hit the button in case of need. The TDS performed just as a normal joystick. In another test, 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 more precisely than a person with Tetraplegia, who steers their chair with a joystick. The TDS could track tongue position with an accuracy of less than a millimeter. It also included cameras that could record the eye movements of a person to interpret and detect their movements. It also came with security features in the software that inspected for valid inputs from the user 20 times per second. Interface modules would stop the wheelchair if they did not receive a valid direction control signal from the user within 100 milliseconds. The team's next steps include testing the TDS on people who have severe disabilities. They have partnered with the Shepherd Center, an Atlanta-based hospital for catastrophic care, and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to conduct these tests. They intend to improve the system's tolerance to lighting conditions in the ambient, include additional camera systems, and allow repositioning to accommodate different seating positions. Wheelchairs that have a joystick With a power wheelchair that comes with a joystick, users can control their mobility device using their hands without having to use their arms. It can be mounted either in the middle of the drive unit, or on either side. It also comes with a screen to display information to the user. Some of these screens are large and backlit to make them more visible. lightweight self propelled folding wheelchair are small and may include symbols or images to assist the user. The joystick can be adjusted to suit different hand sizes and grips, as well as the distance of the buttons from the center. As the technology for power wheelchairs advanced, clinicians were able to create alternative driver controls that allowed patients to maximize their potential. These innovations also enable them to do this in a manner that is comfortable for the user. For example, a standard joystick is an input device with a proportional function that uses the amount of deflection that is applied to its gimble to produce an output that grows with force. This is similar to how accelerator pedals or video game controllers operate. However this system requires excellent motor control, proprioception and finger strength to function effectively. Another type of control is the tongue drive system, which uses the position of the tongue to determine where to steer. A magnetic tongue stud sends this information to the headset, which can carry out up to six commands. It can be used by people with tetraplegia and quadriplegia. Some alternative controls are easier to use than the traditional joystick. This is particularly beneficial for those with weak strength or finger movement. Certain controls can be operated by just one finger and are ideal for those who have limited or no movement in their hands. Some control systems have multiple profiles that can be modified to meet the requirements of each user. This can be important for a new user who might require changing the settings frequently, such as when they feel fatigued or have an illness flare-up. It can also be beneficial for an experienced user who wants to alter the parameters initially set for a specific environment or activity. Wheelchairs with a steering wheel Self-propelled wheelchairs are used by people who need to get around on flat surfaces or climb small hills. They have large rear wheels for the user to grip as they propel themselves. They also have hand rims which allow the individual to use their upper body strength and mobility to control the wheelchair either direction of forward or backward. Self-propelled wheelchairs can be equipped with a variety of accessories, such as seatbelts that can be dropped down, dropdown armrests and swing-away leg rests. Some models can be transformed into Attendant Controlled Wheelchairs to assist caregivers and family members drive and control the wheelchair for users that need more assistance. Three wearable sensors were affixed to the wheelchairs of participants to determine the kinematic parameters. The sensors monitored movements for a period of a week. The gyroscopic sensors that were mounted on the wheels and attached to the frame were used to measure wheeled distances and directions. To differentiate between straight forward motions and turns, the period of time in which the velocity differs between the left and right wheels were less than 0.05m/s was considered to be straight. The remaining segments were scrutinized for turns, and the reconstructed paths of the wheel were used to calculate the turning angles and radius. A total of 14 participants took part in this study. They were evaluated for their navigation accuracy and command latency. Utilizing an ecological field, they were tasked to navigate the wheelchair using four different waypoints. During navigation tests, sensors monitored the wheelchair's trajectory throughout the entire route. Each trial was repeated at minimum twice. After each trial, participants were asked to select which direction the wheelchair to move within. The results showed that a majority of participants were able to complete the navigation tasks even when they didn't always follow the correct directions. They completed 47 percent of their turns correctly. The remaining 23% their turns were either stopped directly after the turn, wheeled on a later turning turn, or was superseded by a simpler movement. These results are similar to those from previous studies.