15. FUTURE SCOPE OF SMART WHEELCHAIR
- Internet of things: A world where physical objects are seamlessly integrated into the information network, and where the physical objects can become active participants in business processes. Services are available to interact with these 'smart objects' over the Internet, query and change their state and any information associated with them, taking into account security and privacy issues. Smart wheel chair can be part of internet of things and help the patients in their profession and other household work like bill payment etc.
- Home Automation: Patients home and environment can be automated using the raspberry pi to extend the comfort of the patients. E.g. Doors could be controlled from the wheelchair Lighting controls can be mounted on the wheelchair.
- Vital Signs Monitoring: Vital signs and patient monitoring can be done in real time, Patient can store and access his medical records
- Indoor mapping: An image of the plan of the house or hospital can be stored in the controller and automated movement of the wheelchair to the defined destination within the mapped region is possible.
- Feedback system: The speed of the motor needs to be controlled if a wheel does not move due to physical restraints, the controller needs to know else it will power the other wheel which leads to faulty operation. The controller can come to know the status of the wheel by a feedback system.
- Solar battery chargers: With the advancement in the technology, the light weighted solar panels can be installed on the wheelchair which will charge the different batteries being used on the wheelchair.
- Stair climbing facility: The smartness of the wheelchair can be enhanced by adding a provision to climb up the steps keeping the weight of the wheelchair and condition of the patient in mind.
- Body massager: As a patient might spend a lot of time on the wheelchair itself, a massager can definitely be very useful for the relaxation of the body.