A microprocessor-based ultrasonic head-controlled and touch-controlled quadriplegic wheelchair with an obstacle detection system

• Main Authors: Dy, Joel Allen G., Lim, Ian Bernard T., Pascual, Francis Joseppee C., Teng, Paul T.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1992
• Subjects: Microprocessors; Detectors; Ultrasonics; Wheelchairs; Electronic control
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/8382
• Institution: De La Salle University

The microprocessor-based ultrasonic head-controlled quadriplegic wheelchair along with the obstacle detection system aims to assist quadriplegics in their mobility and to increase their independence and quality of life. It consists of four modules which are [1] the ultrasonic head control units (UHCU) [2] the on-board microcomputer [3] the motor controller and lastly [4] the obstacle detection system.The principles of ultrasonics are applied in both the UHCU module and the obstacle detection system. Distance ranging is essential in both these applications. For the UHCU, the distance ranges would represent the location of the user's head from the sensors while for the obstacle detection system, it would signify the presence of impeding objects along and/or within the vicinity of the wheelchair-vehicle.A Z80A-based microcomputer would serve as the brain of the entire system. Its functions are to accept computer-compatible data from input devices, to interpret and process information and to output signals to receiving pheripherals and external devices.The motor controller circuit is an external device responsible for the proper operation of the motors i.e, rotating clockwise and/or counterclockwise to move the wheelchair forward, left or right.