Mobility devices have played an important role in the lives of people with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users. However, traditional wheelchairs have remained largely unchanged since 1864, limiting users in several aspects of their lives. With the advent of self-balancing devices like Segways and hoverboards, a new era of mobility is emerging. Inspired by these advances, Adam Blakeney, a wheelchair user, began a collaborative project to explore innovative mobility solutions that free hands from the need to push wheels. This team, made up of people with disabilities, engineers and designers, set out to create a compact, lightweight, hands-free mobility device.
The hands-free wheelchair prototype, known as PURE (Personalized Unique Rolling Experience), is an innovative project developed by a multidisciplinary team at the University of Illinois. Funded by a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation, PURE aims to provide a novel mode of mobility for people with physical disabilities. Unlike traditional wheelchairs, PURE works similarly to a Segway, allowing users to lean in the desired direction to move. The chair features a unique ball-base caster system that allows it to maneuver in all directions, including laterally, providing unprecedented ease and flexibility. It is worth noting that lateral movement (from left to right) is something that traditional wheelchairs do not allow. The team identified the ball as an ideal spherical wheel, inspired by the Star Wars character BB-8 and the Nickelodeon show Avatar: The Last Airbender. The ballbot emerged as a prototype, powered by three motors and Omni wheels, allowing omnidirectional movement.
One of the key benefits of PURE is its lightweight and compact design, ensuring it does not compromise the independence of today’s manual wheelchair users. The team focused on creating a device that can be easily transferred in and out of vehicles and can navigate typical living spaces. The second-generation prototype supports up to 130 pounds, can move at speeds up to 2.3 m/s, and has advanced control features to accommodate users with varying levels of torso mobility. The prototype has been tested by both healthy people and manual wheelchair users, demonstrating its effectiveness and ease of use.
The ballbot not only addressed accessibility challenges but also generated deep emotional connections. It allowed wheelchair users to experience moments that were previously inaccessible, such as walking hand in hand with loved ones. This emotional aspect of the device highlights the transformative power of technology to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
The ballbot project is a testament to the power of collaboration between end users, designers and engineers. By adopting the perspectives of those with lived experiences, the team developed an innovative solution that celebrates function and emotional well-being. This innovative device demonstrates the potential for future advancements in mobility, allowing people with disabilities to live life to their full potential.
Looking ahead, the team plans to enhance the PURE with advanced driver assistance systems that use machine learning to stay on the road, avoid collisions and make autonomously controlled stops. These improvements are intended to further increase the safety and usability of the wheelchair. The development also includes a virtual reality simulation to train users and test controls, ensuring a smooth transition for new users. With a patent pending and successful prototype testing, the future looks bright for PURE as it continues to evolve and improve, providing greater mobility and independence to its users.
Read the paper Driving a Ballbot Wheelchair with Hands-Free Torso Control for more technical details.
Fountain: UIUC
