Automated Transport and Retrieval System for Wheelchairs Enables Driver Independence

Many wheelchair users transfer from their wheelchair to the driver’s seat but need to rely on another person to stash the chair in the car, limiting the driver’s independence. Thanks to a new technological invention, a laser-guided robotic wheelchair can now stash itself in the car. With the push of a few buttons on a remote control the wheelchair rolls by itself to the back of the vehicle where it is picked up by a motorized lift and guided inside where it securely locks itself. This whole process is reversed after the driver arrives at the destination. The system has been designed to work under various challenging conditions such as rain and darkness.

We are always excited to learn about new technologies that aid people with a disability, in this case giving disabled drivers more freedom. See a demo of this system in the video below.