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The use of artificial intelligence in mobility technologies has recently reached an innovative milestone, with the development of a automatic wheelchair, thanks to the ambitious project of a team of researchers from the University of Caen. Designed to meet the pressing needs of people who have difficulty moving independently, this smart chair uses sophisticated algorithms and sensors to navigate various complex environments such as hospitals and nursing homes. This advance marks a turning point in improving access to mobility for people with reduced mobility, by integrating cutting-edge technologies to promote autonomy and accessibility.
With the dazzling advances in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), a new prototype of an automatic wheelchair has been developed by a team from the University of Caen. This chair uses sophisticated algorithms to help people in difficulty move independently, particularly in complex environments such as hospitals or establishments for the elderly. Using AI, this chair can detect and avoid obstacles, making travel safer and more efficient. The team hopes to see this invention adopted by a start-up, with commercialization planned in the near future.
An ambitious project: the wheelchair at the University of Caen
At the forefront of innovation, a team from the University of Caen (Calvados) recently unveiled an exciting project: a robotic wheelchair using AI. Designed especially for people with mobility difficulties, this intelligent tool could transform mobility in places such as hospitals and accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people (Ehpad).
A difficult environment to navigate
Hospitals and nursing homes, with their multiple floors, directional signs and arrows, represent a major challenge for those who have difficulty finding their way. According to Professor Abdel Illah Mouaddid, these complex environments create a crucial need for innovative solutions such as the autonomous robot chair designed at the University of Caen.
Cutting-edge technology: artificial intelligence at the heart of the project
This chair uses advanced artificial intelligence software capable of perceiving and understanding its environment. Equipped with three laser sensors integrated into the wheels, as well as two cameras, the device can detect and avoid obstacles. The AI algorithm performs logical reasoning allowing the chair to navigate independently.
Successful experiments
The prototype has already been tested in several environments, both in a clinic and a nursing home in Normandy. Even shopping malls have served as a testing ground to evaluate the effectiveness of this innovative technology. In these spaces, users only have to select their destination via a touchscreen tablet, with the chair taking care of the rest.
Towards future commercialization
To see this technological revolution brought to scale, the initiators of the project hope that a start-up will take ownership of the concept. Tests in pilot establishments should take place by mid-2025, allowing this system to be refined and validated before it is placed on the market.
