A Cost-Effective Virtual Environment for Simulating and Training Powered Wheelchairs Manoeuvres

Abstract

Control of a powered wheelchair is often not intuitive, making training of new users a challenging and sometimes hazardous task. Collisions, due to a lack of experience can result in injury for the user and other individuals. By conducting training activities in virtual reality (VR), we can potentially improve driving skills whilst avoiding the risks inherent to the real world. However, until recently VR technology has been expensive and limited the commercial feasibility of a general training solution. We describe Wheelchair-Rift, a cost effective prototype simulator that makes use of the Oculus Rift head mounted display and the Leap Motion hand tracking device. It has been assessed for face validity by a panel of experts from a local Posture and Mobility Service. Initial results augur well for our cost-effective training solution.

Downloads

  PDF

Citation

C. J. Headleand, T. Day, S. R. Pop, P. D. Ritsos, and N. W. John, “A Cost-Effective Virtual Environment for Simulating and Training Powered Wheelchairs Manoeuvres,” Proceedings of NextMed/MMVR22, Los Angeles, USA, 2016.   PMID:27046566

Bibtex

@article{Headleand-et-al-MMVR2016,
  title = {A Cost-Effective Virtual Environment for Simulating and Training Powered Wheelchairs Manoeuvres},
  author = {Headleand, Christopher J and Day, Thomas and Pop, Serban R and Ritsos, Panagiotis D and John, Nigel W},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of NextMed/MMVR22, Los Angeles, USA},
  year = {2016},
  publisher = {IOS Press},
  pubmed = {27046566}
}