Coimbatore July 4 (IANS) Student researchers from the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham here have developed a low-cost self-driving wheelchair that works on Robotic Operating System (ROS) and can be navigated using a smartphone app.
Named "Self-E" the revolutionary wheelchair uses ROS to create a map of the surrounding space along with static and dynamic obstacles using a laser sensor and displays it through a smartphone app.
The user can then touch any point on the generated map and the wheelchair will drive to that place automatically without user intervention.
"The unique Self-E self-driving wheelchair now needs to be tested in different environments like hospitals and airports with patients and wheelchair users. We hope to commercialize the product " said Rajesh Kannan Megalingam Assistant Professor at the varsity.
Self-E works by mapping the surrounding environment including dynamic and static obstacles such as people walls pillars tables chairs etc. using a laser sensor called LiDAR.
The map is automatically loaded onto an Android smartphone or tablet through a specially developed app.
Self-E s autonomous operation allows users to relax and sip a cup of coffee read a newspaper or chat with friends as the wheelchair takes them to the desired destination point on its own.
"Users can have complete control over the wheelchair without anyone s help. On the other hand if some patients have a problem in using a smartphone a friend or family member or assistant can use the Android app to transport them without the need to physically push the wheelchair." said Chinta Ravi Teja a student at the varsity.
Teja along with Sarath Sreekanth and Akhil Raj have developed the Self-E wheelchair.

--IANS rt/mag/vm