Page 279 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

268 HANDBOOK OF ELECTRONIC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Programming

There is a plethora of parameters which can be changed to suit the needs of the individual,
their circumstances and the surrounding environment. These include:

• Maximum/minimum forward/reverse speeds.
• Forward/reverse acceleration/deceleration.
• Maximum/minimum turning speed.
• Turning acceleration/deceleration.

With thicker carpets, the wheelchair may struggle to turn with the speed set to a mini-
mum. At the same time, too much acceleration, top speed and deceleration make for a
very jerky ride unless the user is highly proficient and dexterous in their use of the joy-
stick. More advanced settings include veer control and the ability to change motor load
responses, among other things.
Some controls have a simple dial to alter maximum and minimum speed settings, but
more advanced systems offer a series of profiles which can be individually tailored to meet
each person’s needs by adjustment of the foregoing parameters. For example, different
profiles may be required in different environments. Where a secondary joystick is fitted,
as would be the case for an attendant, one of the drive profiles may be assigned for this
purpose. Secondary joysticks for use by an attendant are fitted where the occupant might
struggle (e.g., fatigue) where driving access is via a switch/switches, or where driving abil-
ity is marginal and there are multiple hazards such as rough ground, large crowds, etc.
A basic level of programming can be achieved using a handheld programmer. These do
not give access to the more detailed menus by the PC-based systems and one must record
manually the settings used. With a PC-based programmer, a file is created that contains
all the relevant data, which can be easily stored and flashed across where control system
components have been replaced due to failure.

Outputs

It is possible to control a variety of devices from the wheelchair control system, including:
• Seating actuators, for changing:
• Tilt angle of the seating.
• Recline angle of the backrest.
• Elevation of the leg rests.
• Seat riser.
• Standing/lie-down function.
• Lighting modules: headlights, sidelights, indicators.
• Environmental control systems using infrared, such as a television or window
openers, so long as they are controlled by infrared.
• PCs, tablets and smartphones using Bluetooth (i.e., a tablet can also be used as a
communication aid).