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Autonomous robotic wheelchair with collision-avoidance navigation

The objective of this research is to demonstrate a robotic wheelchair moving in an
unknown environment with collision-avoidance navigation. A real-time path-planning
algorithm was implemented by detecting the range to obstacles and by tracking specific
light sources used as beacons. Infrared sensors were used for range sensing, and
light-sensitive resistors were used to track the lights.
To optimize the motion trajectory, it was necessary to modify the original motor
controllers of the electrical wheelchair so that it could turn in a minimum turning radius
of 28.75 cm around its middle point of axle. Then, with these kinematics, the real-time
path planning algorithm of the robotic wheelchair is simplified. In combination with the
newly developed wireless Internet-connection capability, the robotic wheelchair will be
able to navigate in an unknown environment.
The experimental results presented in this thesis include the performance of the control
system, the motion trajectory of the two driving wheels turning in a minimum radius, and the motion trajectory of the real-time path-planning in a real-life testing environment.
These experimental results verified that the robotic wheelchair could move successfully
in an unknown environment with collision-avoidance navigation.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/86037
Date10 October 2008
CreatorsHsieh, Pin-Chun
ContributorsKim, Won-jong
PublisherTexas A&M University
Source SetsTexas A and M University
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeBook, Thesis, Electronic Thesis, text
Formatelectronic, born digital

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