How many wheelchair users will be injured this year because of the greed of Wallace, MacLeod, and whoever it is that's financing them?
SafePath wheelchair navigation mitigates much of the risk involved in using a power wheelchair.
There is no other suitable computer or AI wheelchair control on the market at this time.
Wheelchair Control Methods are also very significant to safety. Most power wheelchairs are controlled solely by the user, without intervention by computers, terrain monitors gyroscopes or autopilots. These power wheelchair models require, for safety, that the user quickly sense, recognize and react to each and every situation, as it arises. The young, healthy paraplegic will usually meet these requirements most rapidly and effectively. The power wheelchair user with weak and/or slow-moving hand responses is more likely to have accidents and may be more severely injured. An ALTERNATIVE is available in some more costly power wheelchair models. This is the addition of computer-controlled systems that constantly monitor and correct for: wheelchair position and attitude; forward terrain variations; up and own stairway variations; user commands; and overall wheelchair performance. In theory, these power wheelchairs are much safer to operate than those without computer oversight. In practice, however, these power wheelchairs are sometimes more dangerous than non-computer wheelchairs. Serious accidents sometimes result from sensing or computer system failures. The failures may be subtle ones not recognized by the wheelchair user. Or, they can be in the form of a sudden, unexpected total failure of the wheelchair computer system, which may result in an accident when occurring at a critical time. Disregarding cost factors and considering safety issues alone, it is difficult to recommend the use of power wheelchairs that have - or that lack- computer monitoring and control capabilities. This type decision is best made with advice, on an individual basis, by each patient's physician, therapist or mobility trainer. A "Dead-Man's" safety control to automatically stop and brake the wheelchair if the user should let go of the wheelchair control stick or slump in his seat, can protect against accidents due to sudden loss of manual control or due to fainting or seizure. This feature is highly recommended and was included in most power wheelchairs dispensed by this Institute.
USERS of Power Wheelchairs - DISABILITY CATEGORIES & SAFETY RISKS as summarized below, do not include the added hazards of navigating a power wheelchair with poor vision or with susceptibility to fainting or unexpected seizures. It is assumed that all wheelchair users are strapped in for safety. Two straps should be used: one, down, lap to chair - and the other higher up, securing the upper body to the backrest of the wheelchair. The power wheelchair user must be secured both ways for maximum safety.
Paraplegics - Healthy, Fit & Active are typically the safest users of manual, power-assisted, and fully powered wheelchairs. LOWEST RISK. Amputees - Missing Legs and/or Arms but with active upper bodies are usually safe users of power wheelchairs, depending on the type of control devices used. If planned and implemented properly, then LOW RISK. People with Weak or Poorly Controlled Upper Bodies using standard joystick to reliably control power wheelchairs. This category may include some people with Cerebral Palsy, some with Multiple Sclerosis, some with Parkinson Disease, and people with many other conditions. Some of these conditions may cause impaired eyesight, slowed reflexes and/or impaired judgment. All should be fully screened for such functional deficits just as for automobile driving safety. MODERATE RISK. People with Little or No Upper Body Movement, using special quad controls such as mouth joystick, puff & sip breath control, or gyroscopic (inertial) wheelchair controls. HIGH RISK. Paralyzed Small People - Children and "very small" Adults ...in special seats or carriers often need a power wheelchair, most of all when significantly paralyzed. Depending on mechanical implementations, individual conditions, and personalized mobility and safety training, these people are at HIGH RISK.
AI
