Emily Zipfel BFA¹, Rory Cooper PhD¹, Erica Authier BS¹, Edmund F. LoPresti PhD², Jeremy Puhlman BS¹, Rich Simpson PhD¹, Sarah Wyszomierski¹

¹University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
²AT Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA

ABSTRACT

The Smart Power Assistance Module (SPAM) is a system consisting of power assist manual wheelchair hubs and an obstacle avoidance system. The goal is to provide independent mobility to wheelchair users who also have visual and/or cognitive disabilities. SPAM is currently in its second of three phases, which entails designing and building a working prototype for the purposes of laboratory-based user testing. The objectives of the second phase prototype were to meet research and testing needs and bring the design one step closer to what it may look like as a consumer product. One of the main tasks in this redesign is that of the sensor housing. The new design is modular, durable and accurately adjustable and can accommodate multiple sensor configurations. It was manufactured out of a plastic resin using stereo lithography technology.

KEYWORDS

Wheelchair, robotics, sensor, modular, design

Author:

Emily Zipfel
2534 Beechwood Blvd.
Pittsburgh PA.15217.
(412)418.0471.
ezipfel@pitt.edu