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The objective of this project is to propose a comprehensive mobility solution based on the development of a smart wheelchair model that empowers people with diverse functional abilities. Although several projects with a similar goal exist, significant challenges and problems remain to be satisfactorily resolved. These problems relate to the degree of autonomy and navigation capabilities of the vehicle in different circumstances, which typically require restrictive operating scenarios or user intervention in more difficult situations. The solutions proposed here would enable fully autonomous navigation in dynamic environments and/or in very confined spaces or with limited maneuverability. Furthermore, as a design principle, the project aims to address the functional diversity of users. Therefore, it is necessary to have communication mechanisms tailored to the specific needs of each potential user. For this reason, the proposal includes a multimodal interface that can be adapted to achieve effective communication with the user. The proposal is based on various technologies and recent advancements: new, affordable, and portable 3D perception sensors, improvements in control algorithms, enhancements in route planning algorithms, advancements in Computer Vision using Deep Learning techniques, Augmented Reality and brain-computer interface technologies for user communication, and an architecture built around a dynamic semantic map as its central structure. The project will be developed by the Robotics Group at the University of La Laguna, in collaboration with other researchers experienced in brain-computer interfaces, systems simulation, regulations, and applicability in facilities for users with disabilities. This research group possesses the necessary experience and know-how to successfully undertake the project, as evidenced by its academic and scientific track record. The project will not be limited to a specific scenario but will explore its applicability wherever it can improve the quality of life for potential users. However, one of the environments to be considered for system testing and one of the most obvious objectives for applying its results is tourist accommodation. In particular, institutions specializing in rehabilitation or physiotherapy treatments are of special interest due to the length of their patients' stays and the variety of their facilities. Among the organizations and institutions that have expressed interest in the development and results of this project, the ONCE Foundation stands out, having already provided a wheelchair model for developing a prototype.
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The goal of this Project is to achieve a comprehensive mobility solution based on an intelligent wheelchair, which should be able to extend and improve the autonomy of people with disabilities of persons with functional diversity. Although there exist other projects which try to deal with this subject, there are several issues and challenges which still need to be assessed and solved. These challenges are related to improvements on the level of mobility of a vehicle under a variety of circumstances, which usually are restricted to specific environments or require the aid of the user under more demanding challenging situations. The solutions intended to be developed in this project aim to provide a feasible autonomous navigation, when traversing across environments with dynamic obstacles and/or tight zones or reduced leeway. Furthermore, as a design rule, the intelligent wheelchair should be able to deal with people with different functional diversities. This introduces the need of interface mechanisms capable of adapting to different kinds of users. Thus, this project proposal includes a multimodal interface capable of adapting to the user needs. This proposal is based on a series of novel methods and technologies: new, portable and affordable 3D and depth sensors,; advanced control methods,; improved path planning algorithms,; new communication technologies, suitable for indoor positioning, like Visible Light Communication (VLC); recent advances on Computer Vision related to Deep Learning,; Virtual Reality technologies; and interfaces with brain signal with electroencephalogram waves, used to interact with the user, and an the intelligent system architecture built around, in order to interact with a dynamic semantic map of the environment as central one key element. The development of this project is structured as a coordinated proposal of two subprojects, one to be undertaken by the Grupo de Robotica from Universidad de La Laguna jointly with and the other by a group of other researchers with proven experience in brain computer interfaces, systems simulation, and regulations of facilities for people with disabilities. from the Institute for Technological Development and Innovation in Communications (IDeTIC) and from the University Institute of Cybernetic Sciences and Technologies (IUCTC) from University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. These two research groups bring together the experience and know-how needed to successfully undertake each the subproject, as attested by their scientific and academic track record. Past accomplishments, and additionally their respective expertise fields are complementary. The project will not be restricted to a particular scenario, instead, its applicability to situations in which it could enhance the quality of life of its users will be explored. However, one of the preferred environments scenario for developing system tests and one of the most obvious targets for its full implementation are hotel establishments. Specifically, hotel complexes specialized in providing health care services such as rehabilitation or physiotherapy are of special interest due to the long stays of the patients and the variety of their facilities. Among the organizations and institutions that have expressed their interest in the development and results of this project, the ONCE Foundation stands out, which has already contributed a model of wheelchair on which to develop a prototype.
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