ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how smart wheelchairs may be used to improve the assessment process for powered wheelchairs. It also describes how smart wheelchairs may be used to increase independent mobility. It compares the advantages and disadvantages of sensors, feedback mechanisms, and input modalities used by smart wheelchairs. These wheelchairs are intended to provide a range of functions, including collision avoidance, autonomous navigation to locations, wall following, and virtual path following and have been implemented using various sensors and user interfaces. As a training tool, the goal of using a smart wheelchair is to develop the skills needed for independent mobility. In this role, feedback is likely to be significantly increased, and the extent to which the smart wheelchair complies with the user's input will be a function of the actual training activity. As an evaluation instrument, the smart wheelchair's goal is to record activity without intervention.
