A wheelchair navigation system for a motorized wheelchair includes dual cameras, proximity sensors, microphones, and rotation sensors for the wheels. Small markers are placed on the walls of a location or room. The navigation system uses the proximity sensors, rotation sensors and cameras in conjunction with the specialized software to determine where objects or impediments are located in the room and thereby redirect the path of the wheelchair so as to avoid such objects. The wheelchair is walked through the marked location thereby ‘teaching’ various paths which are recorded in the computer and recalled later when the wheelchair is in use. The proximity sensor perform sensing operations during performance of the teaching functions for thereby permitting avoidance of wheelchair collision with obstacles during navigation of the wheelchair through a taught trajectory and allowing for close approach of the wheelchair to solid bodies present during performance of the teaching functions.

Computer-controlled power wheelchair navigation system

A voice-controlled wheelchair (10) has a control system (20) having a plurality of modes of operation in each of which only a limited number of commands for moving the wheelchair are executed. The commands are entered by a throat-engaging microphone (28), and backup commands are also recognized, including a command based on an excited utterance to stop the wheelchair. The control system (20) is switchable by voice command between a first condition in which it executes other commands and a second condition in which it does not execute other commands.

Wheelchair voice control apparatus

A children's ride-on vehicle (10). The ride-on vehicle (10) includes a frame (12) adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly (230) with a battery-powered motor assembly (236). The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels (16) and one or more driven wheels (24). In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel (15), which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel (15). In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch (358) positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle (10) and a user-manipulable portion (220) may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle (10) includes a simulated shock absorber (310) and/or a passenger sidecar (412). Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on (10) may include wheel assemblies (380) that simulate inflatable wheels.

Children's ride-on vehicle

A children's ride-on vehicle(10) having an electronic speed controller(70) adapted to regulate at least one of the timing and rate of application of a selected rotational input. The vehicle(10) includes a body(12) with a seat(16), a steering mechanism(38) positioned for operation by a child to steer at least one of the vehicle's wheels(18), and a drive assembly(26) with an actuator(56) positioned for actuation by a child sitting on the seat(16) to cause the driven rotation of at least one of the vehicle's wheels(18) by a battery-powered motor assembly(42). In some embodiments, the drive assembly(26) includes one or more user input devices(54) that enable a child sitting on the seat(16) to select at least one of the relative speed and direction of the vehicle(10). The drive assembly(26) also includes an electronic speed controller(70) that controls electronically the transmission of a selected rotational input to the vehicle's driven wheel assembly(26).

Children's ride-on vehicle with electronic speed control

A power-assist vehicle such as a wheelchair senses driving torque/force applied by a user through a transmission. The detected force/torque is utilized in a control system with a control map defining a desired dynamic of the vehicle and programmed with the desired mass and drag parameter.

Power assist vehicle

Method and system for controlling the operation of a motorized wheelchair where the motors have discrete predetermined speeds thus requiring little user intervention to operate and the motors may be controlled to act as generators to provide dynamic braking of the wheelchair.

Marvin Kurland

Papers

Method and system for controlling a motorized wheelchair using controlled braking and incremental discrete speeds