technology for health

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Disability covers many realities but at least 850,000 people in France are forced to use a wheelchair. Infrastructures are often still unsuitable and moving is a challenge for them. But for some, the very concept of moving is almost impossible. The intelligent wheelchair is gradually developing and promises to provide solutions to the challenges of everyday life. Overview of the different existing projects.

What should the smart wheelchair look like?

For someone who does not have a disability, understanding the difficulties that can be in everyday life can be complicated. In 2012, a study entitled "What do smart wheelchair users want? "Allowed to identify several major axes.

Surprisingly, the priority does not seem to be that of communication or interactivity, this theme only comes second. At a time when this theme is often used in the field of new technologies, the priority of people with disabilities is health. Interviewees want more opportunities from a safety and medical surveillance point of view. Increasing the ease of travel in restricted or difficult environments is also an important theme.

smart health connected Wheelchair, Stephen Hawking's crazy project

smart health connected Wheelchair is without a doubt the most famous smart and smart health connected wheelchair project. Carried by astrophysicist Stephen Hawking and Intel, it was launched in 2014. This is a model "Able to turn a standard wheelchair into a smart health connected machine driven by data". Able to move independently, he can find accessible routes. But the health aspect is not forgotten. He can analyze in real time the medical data of his user and alert a doctor in case of emergency. However, if the project is clearly interesting, it is still far from being marketed. In any case, it is doubtful whether it is affordable from an economic point of view.

Neuromoov, the wheelchair that is moved with brain waves

Neuromoov offers a real dive into the world of science fiction. While Elon Musk wants to connect our brains to computers, this intelligent wheelchair presented in 2015 can be controlled by thought. Ce project led by engineering students from ESME Sudria school, thanks to a helmet on the head to control a wheelchair thanks to brainwaves. Bad news however. The project was put on hold at the beginning of April. Its founders explained that they have too much workload at the moment to be able to continue it.

Whill, the intelligent wheelchair, with a strange look

Reinvent the wheel before tackling the wheelchair. This is the challenge of the Japanese designer Satoshi Sugie with Whill. This wheelchair has 4 wheels. The front ones are themselves composed of 24 smaller wheels that allow it to move much more accurately and responsively. The set, strange design, it must be said, can move on almost any surface and is controlled with a mouse instead of a classic joystick. Its range is estimated at 19 kilometers with a speed of up to 10 km / h. The idea is ultimately to make it an integral part of the smart health connected health home with the control of different domotic objects. Two different models are available for sale, depending on your needs, for a price of around $ 9000.

Ibrahim Khalil Hamzaoui's smart health connected wheelchair for awareness

This is not a project to be marketed someday. This is a "scientific tour com France" realized last year by Ibrahim Khalil Hamzaoui. In a smart health connected wheelchair, he traveled more than 3000 kilometers across France. Funded by the CNRS, his chair could reach 25 km / h. With three rechargeable batteries, it also recorded data such as temperature or speed. The travel enthusiast wanted to establish a wheelchair distance record, take measurements for his thesis and make people with disabilities aware of the importance of higher education. Note that the chair also had an anti-decubitus sensor, essential for such long trips.

Ekso, an exoskeleton to replace the wheelchair?

What if the wheelchair of the future was not an armchair? The goal of Ekso Bionics is to replace them with robotic exoskeletons. The idea is simple. Give back to people with neuromuscular disorders the opportunity to walk. Worn over clothing and accompanied by crutches, this system is based on a human-machine interface. This can include the intentions of the person and execute the movements. Of course, it's still heavy and therefore impractical. Count 23 kg of average weight. A load that limits the maximum speed to 2km / h. For the moment, these exoskeletons are only used in rehabilitation centers in the context of clinical trials. The concept is also tested in Japan and we know that the US military also wants to use it to improve the capabilities of its soldiers.

To discover all the news of smart health connected health, new objects and innovative trends, go to our dedicated section.

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