Feasability: Set up an Arduino-powered power wheelchair joystick - Display, etc.

Projects General Guidance
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Greetings.

I need to use a power wheelchair for my daily mobility both indoors and out (with a few exceptions), and I find myself really wishing that it had extra features. But the cost of them at order time was prohibitive. For example, Sunrise wanted about $1,000 USD to equip my chair with 2 forward white LED lights, and 2 rear LED directional signal/hazard lights, plus replace the standard 4 key joystick with one that had buttons and indicators for the lights. (Example below)

My current joystick is on the right. The one they would have equipped if I had the lighting option is on the left.

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I also have a power tilt option, which I wanted integrated into the joystick. That's an additional 2 buttons, and an extra $1,000 USD.

Of course, they'd also add a couple of electronics modules to support all these extra buttons, but $2,000 was not a check I was prepared to write.

So I was wondering - Can I, with the help of an Arduino and a custom molded case - Re-make the joystick into what I wanted in the first place?

While the chair's power on/off button, physical 360-degree joystick that actually drives it, and its two speed control buttons would remain connected solely to the stock chair controller only, I want to slave the horn function, lights, and power tilt control to an Arduino, connected to a nice color LCD screen and maybe a 2-position toggle switch, to greatly expand the chair's functionality.

The screen would read some added wheel RPM counters to display a true rotation speed, track mileage, and it would have at least 1 camera connected as a backup alert function, showing me a rear view, and displaying a stop symbol when I approached an obstacle. (As my rear view is severely obstructed by a headrest and limited flexibility), as seen here: This Raspberry Pi-Powered Backup Camera Sounds the Alarm Before You Hit Something

And out of reverse mode, the screen would have on-screen buttons to activate the lights or tilt, and it could display my favorite photos from a microSD card when stopped or in standby mode.

Also, if it had some smartphone-type sensors that could display the current grade that the chair/joystick is on (just so I know), that would be neat, as I live in a very hilly place.

I also want to add an option for a small toggle to switch between the indoor-only crappy piezo "beep beeeeeep" "horn" and a car's 12V real HORN for outdoor use.

I'd also like to have the option later to add a pinhole camera and microphone to the joystick itself to record video files to a microSD card. Why? Not sure, just because it's an ability that I think would be neat, and occasionally useful.

Of course, adding a screen would mean reworking the joystick housing, and likely making a new one. Is that possible for someone like me, who is just rolling these ideas around in my head, without breaking the bank?

How much would something like this ultimately cost me, complete? (Ballpark estimate is fine)

Thanks!

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Wow, what a great attitude you have.

Is that possible for someone like me

. I've always believe if you can dream it, you can build it. Of course, "easy" and "cheap" are not considered in that answer.

As you are exploring the option, may we know a little about your electronic skills? Your list runs from simple to semi-complexed: specifically, the incline option since it will require integration into the existing current drivers.

I checked your profile and see you are in San Francisco, so here is my suggestion:
I think you can do the modifications, but I believe you will require assistance. To the extent that you are able to specify requirements and prioritize those requirements will decide your level of involvement... Think: User, Requirements gathering, Prioritization, Design, Sanity check, Budgeting, Prototyping, Testing...
OK, even little projects of a few hundred of dollars have the above elements and you must be aware of this just for reality and to avoid frustration. Keeping a positive attitude is all-important.

So, back to San Fran...
Consider joining http://www.meetup.com/Arduino-Bay/
Or
http://arduino.meetup.com

IF you are mobile, participate in person. If not mobile enough, then become active virtually. Float your needs to the community in a prioritized manner... Do some online homework, get your chairs mechanical and electrical specifications; for example, who made the motor for tilting and what are the electrical specs?

Free standing things like turn-signals and such are more easily implemented, but there is still that need to have the ergonomic integration into your controller.... New or existing. This is where bouncing specific ideas off of a group is invaluable. At some point, I think you will need one or more able bodies to assist you with the physical aspects of connections and installation... Hence the emphasis on local groups. Do NOT discount the technical institutions of higher learning as the students often have community outreach research... A wheelchair is another way to say robot.

My best wishes for the materialization of your ideas.

Ray

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Thanks for the words of encouragement, Ray. I'll check out the local group that you suggested.

Yes, wheelchair is another way to say robot, as I understand that the powerbases are often cannibalized into robot platforms, and while that might be fun in a way, I do hope some tech-heads wouldn't go too far in that direction, as I still need my rehab/power seating attached to it, and to be able to control it! Though I might like a battle-bots-esque sharp cutting wheel to take out the feet of people who do stupid things such as - Walk backwards into my path while looking forwards, walk/jog/run out of store entrances and smack into the side of my chair (only then do they realize that I am there, hello?!), stand on the back of my chair at crowded crosswalks without my knowledge or permission, etc. Would be fun, but alas, probably illegal, lol. :slight_smile:

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stand on the back of my chair at crowded crosswalks without my knowledge or permission, etc.

Dude, that is SO wrong! Betcha they would not do that to Davros' robotic body-vehicle.

Best of luck. Do keep us posted as you progress. 40 years ago, I worked in the a university EE Research facility... Our chief engineer was always tackling medical hardware and something like this would have been right up his alley. I am sure interest is out there, it just a matter of finding the resource. Many forum senior members (generic, i have another forum in mind) shy away from such topics because of U.S. liability laws.

Ray

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Wrong as it may be, it happens more often than it should. Which is never.

As far as US liability laws, that is why I want to separate the driving functions - The ones that could primarily cause liability issues, leaving them alone - And only work on controlling the add-on power seating and and gee-whiz electronics features. I posted to the SF Arduino group you called out, I haven't received a response yet, but here's hoping. Here's a copy of what I posted there.

Subj: Feasability/Help - Set up an Arduino/RaspberryPi powered wheelchair joystick for greatly expanded functions

Greetings.

I am a San Francisco resident with a power wheelchair that I am not completely happy with. Oh sure, it's a fine mobility device, as fast as Medicare will pay for (6.5 MPH on paper, and probably 7.2 MPH or so in real-life), reasonably comfortable and capable, considering its limitations, but.. Where are the LED lights for safe night driving? A $1,000 factory option. Power seating control (tilt) from the joystick instead of a separate toggle switch? Another $1,000. A real car horn as an optional outdoor horn? Not even offered. Speedometer/odometer? Another $1500 or so. A backup camera with a warning when you get near an obstacle (Idea from a gizmodo article) Not even offered. Music player/photo viewer (since users spend a lot of time in the chair) Not offered. Environmental sensors, such as how much of a grade the chair is on, motor/controller temps, etc? Not offered. Date/time display? Only on the $1500 upgraded controller/joystick. Alarms, such as time to take a medication or to shift position/weight, or have a medical appointment coming up? Again, only on the $1500 upgrade, and not even user customizable (easily, at least) then. A hidden front camera and microphone, to document the crap that chair users have to put up with, such as cars blocking my path on sidewalks, or taking up handicapped parking spaces? Video evidence would be great.. But, like most, it's not even offered.

These are just the ideas I have right now. There may be more. Some may fall by the wayside because of various limiting factors. Anyhow. I have the ideas, but I have no idea where to begin! I'm thinking that a RaspberryPi and an Arduino working together, with some cameras and sensors, a screen, and some programming, all mounted into a custom joystick pod would be able to do this easily.

Would anyone here be interested in helping be bring these ideas to life? I hope so!

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Fingers crossed 8)

Ray

PS: ? Is the remote control w/ the extra controls available as a "repair part"? Just seems to be a nice controller but the $$$ they are wanting for the upgrades... well, I can see how one must pick-n-choose their options carefully unless someone else is paying the bill.

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What level of mobility do you have with your hands/arms? Most of what you describe should be easy do-dads to add. If you actually intend to get on a public roadway, you might consider a golf cart.