The Japan Corporate News Network is reporting that a new high-tech wheelchair, featuring a 360-degree camera, leaves no blind spots. The chair was developed by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), in collaboration with the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities:
The ‘intelligent’ wheelchair prevents collision and bumps by gathering 3D information on the surrounding area in real time. It also detects irregular gestures and posture of the person on the wheelchair, stopping promptly and sending out an external emergency message when it senses something unusual.
According to Adam Frucci over at Sci Fi Tech, the “electric wheelchair can avoid collisions with objects and other people and has the ability to tell if the user needs medical assistance. It can detect changes in posture, so if someone is slumped over it can tell that something is wrong and alert the hospital. Furthermore, the chair can be controlled by gesture, allowing the occupant to tell it where to go by merely pointing.”
Sci Fi Tech article…
JCN Network release…
AIST press release (in Japanese)…
