IAES International Journal of Robotics and Automation (IJRA)
Vol 1, No 4: December 2012

Control of a stair climbing wheelchair

Nor Maniha Abdul Ghani (University of Sheffield)
M.O. Tokhi (University of Sheffield)
A.N.K Nasir (University of Sheffield)
S. Ahmad (International Islamic University Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Dec 2012

Abstract

This paper presents investigations into the control of a stair climbing wheelchair particularly for indoor usage. A virtual wheelchair model is developed using Visual Nastran software and linked with Matlab/Simulink for control purposes. The goals are to have a simple, compact and stable stairs climbing wheelchair in order to complete the ascending and descending tasks. The challenges are to ensure the wheelchair seat always stay at the upright position and to control both the front and rear wheel motors while climbing. PID control is used to provide appropriate torque to both front and rear wheels as well as at to the wheelchair seat during climbing. Results show that the wheelchair movement can be controlled smoothly and the seat maintained at the desired position with the adapted approach.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijra.v1i4.795

Copyrights © 2012






Journal Info

Abbrev

IJRA

Publisher

Subject

Automotive Engineering Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Description

Robots are becoming part of people's everyday social lives and will increasingly become so. In future years, robots may become caretaker assistants for the elderly, or academic tutors for our children, or medical assistants, day care assistants, or psychological counselors. Robots may become our ...