Design and Implementation of Smart Head-Motion Controlled Wheelchair

The everyday challenges faced by those who are immobile due to congenital defects, arthritis, high blood pres-sure, age, or stroke are significant. Addressing this issue, we propose the design of an autonomous mobility system tailored to this specific demographic. This innovative system not only governs the movement of a wheelchair but also incorporates obstacle-detection capabilities. Our solution revolves around an automatic head-movement-controlled wheelchair, enabling uni-directional navigation through intuitive head gestures (forward, backward, left, and right). It seamlessly halts movement when the user ceases head motions. This system comprises two pivotal components: the transmitting unit and the receiving unit. Changes in head orientation are detected by a gyro sensor in the transmitting unit, which then uses ESP32 and HTTP machine-to-machine communication to send signals. These signals are captured by the receiving unit with the aid of another ESP32. The ESP32 performs the functions of a microcontroller and a transceiver in both the transmit and receive units. Subsequently, DC motors with the help of L298 interpret these commands, orchestrating precise wheelchair movements. The integration of ultrasonic sensors enhances safety by enabling obstacle detection. Combining data from the gyro sensor and ultrasonic sensors, the system intelligently guides the wheelchair. When obstacles are detected ahead, either to the left or to the right, the system ensures immobility until a clear path is available. The user can change direction by simply moving their head backward and subsequently instructing movement in the desired direction. There is also a wireless control system, so if a wheelchair patient's family member wants to, they can easily control the wheelchair through our mobile app or our website. It is also possible to track the wheelchair's realtime location in our app and on our website using GPS, GSM, and IoT technologies. A crash alert is also present. If the patient falls out of the wheelchair, a beeping buzzer on the wheelchair will sound, and the patient's family members will receive a call and an SMS. Through the mobile app and website, the alert can be followed. Our primary objectives are simplicity and efficiency. The suggested system's quick response times and low cost will be advantageous to people with serious mobility issues.