Listen : Audio version of this article |
On the Day of World Disability 2018, here is a good piece of news that shows up that how technology advances can enhance people lives.
A US manufacturer of a robotic device has now coupled up with the Intel AI Process to create a wheelchair kit that can let any person of the disability control the wheelchair movement with the help of their facial expressions.
Taking just around seven minutes to install, the HOOBOX Robotics, Wheelie 7 Kit allows users to simply pick from the ten facial expressions to simply control and monetize their wheelchair, for moving forward, stopping and turning.
Instead of having the invasive body sensors, the Wheelie 7 uses a 3D intel RealSense Depth Camera SR300 which is mounted on the wheelchair to stream the data that Artificial Intelligence algorithms process in the real-time to control the chair, which also gives a user an amazingly and intuitive way to navigate the wheelchair.
“Today on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it’s important to recognize the ways technology can help people regain mobility and control of their lives. The Wheelie 7 kit from Hoobox Robotics is a great example of using AI to enable people with limited mobility to move around using natural facial movements,” stated Intel’s head of AI for social good, Anna Bethke. We heartily agree.
“The Wheelie 7 is the first product to use facial expressions to control a wheelchair. This requires incredible precision and accuracy, and it would not be possible without Intel technology,” said Dr. Paulo Pinheiro, co-founder and CEO of HOOBOX Robotics. “We are helping people regain their autonomy.”