Nottingham Robotic Mobility Assistant (NoRMA): An Affordable DIY Robotic Wheelchair Platform
Title: Nottingham Robotic Mobility Assistant (NoRMA): An Affordable DIY Robotic Wheelchair Platform
Authors: Lewis Christopher Brand (University of Nottingham); Ayse Kucukyilmaz (University of Nottingham);
Year: 2022
Citation: Brand, L., Kucukyilmaz, A., (2022). Nottingham Robotic Mobility Assistant (NoRMA): An Affordable DIY Robotic Wheelchair Platform. UKRAS22 Conference “Robotics for Unconstrained Environments” Proceedings, 50-51. doi: 10.31256/Kv8Ps6P
Abstract:
In 2008, the world health organisation estimated that sixty five million people needed wheelchairs (10% of the disabled population and 1% of the global population at the time) [1]. Wheelchairs help to improve mobility, independence, and dignity of their users, allowing them to partake in work, attend school or college, and engage in social activities with their
family and friends. Unfortunately, not all users are able to use a regular manual wheelchair. Powered wheelchairs offer users a significantly more comfortable experience in the hands, arms, and upper body, and have been shown to improve the user’s mobility and independence, enabling participation in work and new activities, whilst simultaneously reducing pain and discomfort [2, 3, 4, 5]. Despite being able to accept a much
larger userbase, powered wheelchairs still present difficulties such as navigating through crowds and manoeuvring backwards and through confined spaces [6].