Intelligent Wheelchairs and Assistant Robots

This work presents an overview over the main technological aids oriented to the rehabilitation of the physically disabled so that they can get some independence. These aids range from wheelchairs up to the assistant robots developed in the last years 1. Introduct ion. Technological developments in the last years have not only allowed an increase of the automation level in industry, they have also enabled the manufacture of many consumer goods. Such goods considered by society as basic elements to improve the quality of life, are equipments such as automobiles, audio and video devices, electric: appliances or even personal computers. Many of these equipments, direct or adequately modified can also constitute valuable aiding elements to people with physical disabilities produced by diseases, accidents or also to persons with physical limitations due to old age. The current availability of equipments that constitute today valuable aids for disabled people, come from an increasing number of specialized companies that respond to the needs of a demand more and more important. On the other side, these companies have available an increasing range of components and devices originally addressed to industrial automation, but that, conveniently adapted, also allow the automation of lighting systems, ventilation, and access to or manipulation of the most common home elements. These elements start to be used by persons that suffer from important deficiencies in their motor capabilities [1]. The companies specialized in providing technological equipment to physically disabled persons to increase their independence, offer everyday new technological resources, ranging from new materials to robotics. These companies also rely on the support of many research centers, making possible with this cooperation to significantly increase the market supply of this kind of aids and to appreciably reduce their cost. Thus, more potential users can reach these products, fig. 1. 2. Technologica l aids for mobil i ty One of the most usual disabilities of old people is their lack of mobility. This disability make them unable not only to move outside, in public thoroughfare, but even to carry out the necessary short runs at home. The use of wheelchairs, that started to be developed at the beginning of this century, has enabled to provide a very efficient solution to the need of mobility,