A Human-Centered Design of Electric Wheelchair Controller With Dual Control Access for Both Drivers of Disabled People and Caregiver

Abstract

This paper presents a design process of a novel electric wheelchair controller to enable a dual control access for both the users in the wheelchair and their caregivers. This design applied human-centered design frameworks, processes, and tools: Kumar's seven modes of the design innovation process and IDEO, Palo Alto, CA, design method cards. After such design process, a design of dual control access controller of an electric wheelchair is established. A real-size prototype has been built to prove the design concept; and further, the method of control switching between people in and behind the wheelchair has been optimized with the established prototype.