Team Name
Access VR
Timeline
Summer 2024 – Fall 2024
Students
- Eric Nguyen – Computer Engineering
- Jake Cooper – Computer Engineering
- Khoa Nguyen – Computer Science
- Santiago Hernandez – Software Engineering
Abstract
Access VR is a product that the aims to streamline and aid physical therapy. It allows users to be able to practice various scenarios and movements in a safe and controlled virtual space, thereby improving their confidence and skills in real-world wheelchair navigation. This will hopefully expedite the recovery and learning process of using a wheelchair for newly wheelchair bound users. Additionally this technology can be used to allow for wheelchair bounds users to have more accessibility in virtual environments as it replicates wheelchair movement more accurately than traditionally controllers.
Background
Purpose and Use:
The VR wheelchair system aims to provide an innovative training platform for wheelchair users to practice and improve their navigation skills within a virtual reality environment. By simulating real-world scenariosAcc and obstacles, the system allows users to experience and adapt to various challenges without physical risk. This tool is intended to be used in rehabilitation centers, training facilities, and by individuals at home who seek to enhance their wheelchair maneuvering abilities. The system integrates with a physical wheelchair to provide a realistic and responsive experience that mimics actual movement and interaction within virtual settings.
Intended Audience:
The intended audience for the VR wheelchair system includes individuals who use wheelchairs, whether due to temporary or permanent mobility impairments. This product is designed for both new wheelchair users who need to develop basic navigation skills and experienced users who wish to refine and expand their capabilities. Additionally, rehabilitation centers, physical therapy clinics, and organizations providing support for wheelchair users can utilize this system for training and educational purposes. The system is adaptable to various user needs and skill levels, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications in both individual and institutional contexts.
Project Requirements
- Virtual Environments: The system includes a variety of carefully designed VR environments that simulate different real-life scenarios. These environments provide users with opportunities to practice and enhance their navigation skills in a safe and controlled setting.
- User Interface: The VR system features an intuitive user interface that allows users to easily interact with the virtual environment. The interface is designed to be accessible and user-friendly, ensuring that wheelchair users can navigate the VR world with ease.
- Sensor-Based Modules: The system utilizes sensor-based modules that attach to the wheels of the wheelchair. These sensors capture the movement of the wheels and translate it into corresponding actions within the VR environment. This allows users to control their movement in the VR world by spinning the wheels in real life.
- Customization and Adaptability: The system can be customized to meet the specific needs of individual users. This includes adjusting the sensitivity of the sensors, the difficulty of the VR environments, and other settings to ensure an optimal training experience.
Design Constraints
1. Accessibility : The primary purpose of a wheelchair controller in VR is to ensure users with mobility impairments can interact with VR environments seamlessly. Accessibility encompasses ease of use, intuitive design, and adaptability to various mobility limitations.
2. Functionality : It must achieve its designed purpose and this will be achieve with many different factors. Since the controller will be used in conjunction with a wheelchair, its design must prioritize comfort and minimize physical strain during prolonged use. Immersion in VR depends heavily on responsive and lag-free interactions. A delay in the wheelchair’s movements reflecting in the VR environment could break the sense of presence and cause disorientation.
3. Maintainability: The product should be able to be easily maintained and implemented.
4. Safety & Welfare: Operating a wheelchair controller in VR introduces unique safety concerns, as the user might move in both the virtual and physical spaces simultaneously.
5. Extensibility: A future Senior design team will take over so it must be able to be expanded on and improved.
Engineering Standards
Below are some of the standards that our group took into consideration:
- ISO 9241-11: Ergonomics of human system interaction. Guidance on usability
- ISO 7176: Specifies the requirements and test methods for the performance of wheelchairs, including electronic components
- IEEE 11073: Standards for medical devices communication
- Programming/Web Dev Standards: These industry standards are set to ensure readability and portability for continued development and support.
- OSHA Standards: This product will adhere to the proper standards set by OSHA.
System Overview
The AccessVR system is simple and straightforward, consisting of three main layers: the Wheelchair Layer, for user input and data collection; the Data Processing Layer, for data collation and calculation; and the Headset Layer, for data interpretation and output. The system is streamlined and largely one-directional, beginning with the wheelchair and ending with the virtual environment in the headset.
Headset Layer Description
The Headset layer is the layer that connects the user with the virtual environment. The player movement provides the user the ability to move around the environment. Hand tracking give the user the ability to control the UI and therefore interact with the virtual environment.
Data Processing Layer Description
The Data Processing layer is an intermediate layer connecting the wheelchair controller with the headset. The Arduino microcontroller receives all input data from the wheelchair, and sends that data to the API. The API then translates the data for use by the headset systems.
Wheelchair Layer Description
The Wheelchair layer is dedicated to the hardware aspect of this product. Which is all connected to the wheelchair so that information can be transferred to the data processing layer.
Results
With the time we were given, we were able to set up a basic proof of concept where the wheelchair is attached to sensors and movement is replicated onto the VR environment.
Future Work
Work on this project will be continued by another Senior Design team this coming semester. The next team will continue to refine our product and potentially add more features. Hardware such as a tilt table or motors to simulate inclines. Software such as collision and functional games.
Project Files
Project Charter
System Requirements Specification
Architectural Design Specification
Detailed Design Specification
Poster
References
- McBride, Seth, et al. “Virtual Reality Project May Give New Wheelchair Users a Confidence Boost.” New Mobility, 1 Sept. 2021, www.newmobility.com/2017/09/virtual-reality-project- may-give-new wheelchair-users-a-confidence-boost/.
- “Wheelsim – Wheelchair Simulator.” Pretorian Technologies, www.pretorianuk.com/wheelsim..
