Design and Construction of a Smart Wheelchair from a Lecture Chair Using Power Window Motors with Smartphone Control for Disability

Abstract

Wheelchairs are essential for enhancing mobility in people with disabilities, but traditional models often lack advanced functionality and safety features. This study presents a smart wheelchair system that overcomes these limitations by integrating smartphone control via Bluetooth, using the Arduino Uno R3 microcontroller. The research addresses key challenges, including ensuring smooth control and safety in varying environments. The developed smartphone application, created using visual block programming, communicates with the Arduino system, which is coded in C++. This setup enables users to control the wheelchair’s movement through commands sent to DC motors, while an ultrasonic sensor detects obstacles, enhancing safety. Rigorous testing demonstrated the system’s reliability, with the ultrasonic sensor achieving a deviation of only 0.3 cm. The wheelchair supports users up to 53 kg, achieving a speed of 0.28 m/s, with performance decreasing for heavier users. The contributions of this study lie in the integration of advanced control and safety features, enhancing mobility, efficiency, and user safety, making it an innovative solution for users with limited physical capabilities.