Infrared Sensor Controlled Wheelchair for Physically Disabled People

The advancements in the automation of wheelchairs have been a major topic of research over the last few decades. Automated wheelchairs have many features such as gesture control, obstacle avoidance, automatic speed control but the control of wheelchairs using Infrared sensors and sending mobile message through a push button on the chair has yet to be seen. In this paper, the design of an automated wheelchair for people suffering from total or partial paralysis is presented. This wheelchair design allows self-control using an Infrared Sensor and a microcontroller (Arduino Uno) based circuitry with emergency message transmitting systems. This design will not only prevent stress on the body during movement in all four directions but will also be accessible by low income households. From an environmental aspect, this eco-friendly design utilizes solar PV technology to charge the 12 V battery that powers the motors of the wheelchair. There is always a concern of safety for paralysis patients, so this design includes a GSM based emergency system that allows a message to be sent to the user's emergency contacts. The entire setup is done through a normal wheelchair with DC motors and a control unit consisting of IR sensor, Arduino Uno, GSM module, buzzer, relay and a 12 V battery with a solar PV charging unit with a charge controller.