We propose a new cabin design for cars in use by older adults with disabilities. By using a steer-by-wire system the steering wheel can be retracted in the dashboard and an electric auxiliary seat could function on both the driver and passenger positions to help persons with disabilities and older persons to easily access the vehicle.

Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the extent and manner in which mobility is related to quality of life (QOL) in a representative sample of older adults. Method:...

A movable steering-wheel system for car driving at older ages

The Impact of Mobility on Quality of Life Among Older Persons

The aging society could have a greater societal impact than the current financial crisis. The percentage of older adults has increased while the size of the health care workforce has remained constant. Home automation, robotics, assistive technology, geriatric telecare and telemedicine can support independence in older adults and diminish the health care burden. Currently, delivering services through these technologies is accomplished mainly through stand-alone systems. Multiple stand-alone systems in one dwelling become a multidisciplinary technological challenge of risks and benefits. Ideally, only those technology mediated services requested at a particular moment should be provided. This calls for a reduction in the barriers between healthcare and technology disciplines and an intelligent network using software agents supporting optimal integration and interoperability to increase the quality of life of older adults and decrease the healthcare burden in our aging society.

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Matching technologies of home automation, robotics, assistance, geriatric telecare and telemedicine

The steering wheel is a promising space for the integration of displays since in the car there is very limited space for integrating interactive modalities for the driver that are close to the preferred field of view as well as in an easy to reach position. When the wheel is turned, the screen content could change its orientation to increase the readability and therefore reduce the distraction from the road. Thus, this paper describes three different content rotation behaviors for steering wheel displays. To investigate what effect these behaviors have on the driver in terms of visual distraction from the road we conducted a user study with eye tracking asking participants to read the current speed. We found no differences in terms of distraction and response time between the different rotation behaviors. Compared to a similar display in a dashboard position the visual distraction was reduced.

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The wheels are turning: content rotation on steering wheel displays

This investigation studies the speed design of lift-up mechanism in a welfare vehicle that lowers and raises a seat from the side door of the vehicle. The seat functions like a wheelchair as it is landed to the ground. A parallelogram configuration is adopted in the mechanism design. A parallelogram linkage, in which a link rod is shaped as a cam, governs the motion of the mechanism. The cam pair mechanism, like a motion-generator cam, determines the motion to expand the lift-up mechanism. The system is kinematically analyzed. The constraint relations, velocity equations, and acceleration equations of the mechanism are obtained. The kinematic characteristics of the lift-up mechanism are investigated, which gives the guidance to design the speed of the system. The speed of the lift-up mechanism is investigated, in which the method of linear function with parabolic blends for a path with via-points is adopted in the trajectory planning.

A movable steering-wheel system for car driving at older ages

Citations

The Impact of Mobility on Quality of Life Among Older Persons

Matching technologies of home automation, robotics, assistance, geriatric telecare and telemedicine

The wheels are turning: content rotation on steering wheel displays

Speed Design of Lift-Up Mechanism in a Welfare Vehicle