Wheel unit with servo brakes: Wheelchairs can be
used as if on level ground, even on slopes
Wheel unit with servo brakes: Wheelchairs can be
used as if on level ground, even on slopes
Manual wheelchairs, the majority of wheelchairs in use in the world, have a risk that is difficult for pedestrians to recognize: when the sidewalk has an incline, gravity causes the wheelchair to easily run out onto the roadway. By applying robotics and ergonomics, we developed an assistive technology that allows the wheelchair to operate as if it were on level ground, even on slopes. A small brake attached externally to the wheelchair counteracts gravity and also estimates the direction of travel based on the rower's habits, to help the wheelchair move smoothly.
- Affiliation:
- Kwansei Gakuin University
Chugo Laboratory
- Representative:
- Daisuke Chugo
Professor,
Kwansei Gakuin University
Faculty of Engineering,
Department of Intelligent and Mechanical Engineering
Daisuke Chugo PhD
Dr. Chugo completed his doctoral studies at Saitama University Graduate School of Science and Engineering in 2005. After working as a researcher at the University of Tokyo and an assistant professor at the University of Electro-Communications, he joined the newly established Department of Human System Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University in 2009 as a full-time lecturer. After serving as an associate professor at the same university, he assumed his current position.
SOCIALSocial Implementation
Small and inexpensive device to be implemented in manual wheelchairs worldwide.
Even the best technology will not be used if the user does not feel it is reasonably priced. This technology is a small and inexpensive device that can be easily attached to a wheelchair, yet provides solid value in terms of safety and driving comfort in slopes and other dangerous situations. The price range for practical application is expected to be around US$60∼70 per unit. As the first technology of its kind in the world, if it can be installed in 60 million manual wheelchairs worldwide, the market size is expected to be around US$3∼4 billion.
ORIGINALITYUniqueness, Passion for Development
Smooth, gravity-defying running, even on slopes.
This technology has two unique features: The first is that the brakes support the user's intended wheelchair movement. The second is the estimation of the rower's behavior. The human limb movements are characterized by a smoothness that is typical of living organisms, and by using a vehicle speed sensor to measure the " jerky" movement applied to the wheel at the start of rowing, it is possible to estimate how the rower wants to perform the movement and link this to a smooth ride.
VISIONDream, Outlook, Business Image
Safe Wheelchairs to All Users
First, we would like to release the wheelchair equipped with a brake unit. At the same time, we will to make it widely available to wheelchair users by making it compliant with medical coverage (after receiving approval as a welfare device). No manual wheelchair with this kind of assistive devices have yet been developed in Japan or overseas, and this technology is in line with the SDGs philosophy of “leaving no one behind on the planet”. We hope to make this technology widely used around the world as a technology that provides safety and peace of mind to all people.
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