Examination of Single-Hand-Operation Wheelchair driving using EMG and 3-axis acceleration sensor

Abstract

The wheelchair for Single-Hand-Operation takes a heavy load on operation. Even though it has much advantages for people who can use both hands, it can’t be said that it is widespread in daily life of disabled people who are not athletes. The purpose of this study is to reduce the driving load of users during Single-Hand-Operation Wheelchair. In this research, we clarify that the load on driving to passengers is reduced by setting the seat angle in the roll direction. On the Single-Hand-Operation Wheelchair, which only the driving wheel side is operated, the operation is performed in the left-right direction. Thus, the Single-Hand-Operation Wheelchair was hypothesized that seating angle in the roll direction affects the operation load. In this experiment, myoelectric potential and body movement were used as indices. Subjects used the one-handed wheelchair with respective angled (0°,10°) seats drove and to measure EMG and body movements. We discuss whether the bearing surface angle in the roll direction is effective with reducing the driving load of the passenger.