Enhanced Remote Data Logging for Electric Powered Wheelchairs

Principal Investigator(s): Rory A. Cooper, PhD and Dan Ding, PhD

Co-Investigator(s): None

Objectives

To test the efficacy of a remote data logging (RDL) device for monitoring mobility levels and seating postures of powered wheelchair users in the community environment.

Research Design

Up to five powered wheelchair users will be recruited in the study. The device will be tested for 14 days as the subjects go about their daily routines.

Methodology

The device will be attached to an electric powered wheelchair collecting travel data of wheelchair users as well as performance data of wheelchairs, i.e. driving distance, speed, wheelchair locations, frequency of using tilt and recline functions, and battery usage etc. In addition, an onboard GPS device will provide information regarding indoor versus outdoor travel as well as usage of motor vehicle transportation. Data will be downloaded remotely through a cellular modem. 

Clinical Significance

It is important to know how far wheelchair users drive per day, where they have been, and how long they spend in various settings. This data will allow manufactures to improve wheelchair design and will enable researchers to more thoroughly investigate the effect of interventions on participation and activity. In addition, information on how many times tilt-in-space and recline features are used may help justify their purchase to insurance providers or let clinicians know if patients are using the devices as intended. Finally information related to system failures can enable this in-wheelchair RDL device to become a safety and security system with a GPS satellite network and cellular technology being used to link the wheelchair users with technicians or researchers at a host station.