Design and Evaluation of the Extended FBS Model Based Gaze-Control Power Wheelchair for Individuals Facing Manual Control Challenges

Sensors (Basel). 2023 Jun 14;23(12):5571. doi: 10.3390/s23125571.

Abstract

This study addresses the challenges faced by individuals with upper limb disadvantages in operating power wheelchair joysticks by utilizing the extended Function-Behavior-Structure (FBS) model to identify design requirements for an alternative wheelchair control system. A gaze-controlled wheelchair system is proposed based on design requirements from the extended FBS model and prioritized using the MosCow method. This innovative system relies on the user's natural gaze and comprises three levels: perception, decision making, and execution. The perception layer senses and acquires information from the environment, including user eye movements and driving context. The decision-making layer processes this information to determine the user's intended direction, while the execution layer controls the wheelchair's movement accordingly. The system's effectiveness was validated through indoor field testing, with an average driving drift of less than 20 cm for participates. Additionally, the user experience scale revealed overall positive user experiences and perceptions of the system's usability, ease of use, and satisfaction.

Keywords: assistive technology; extended FBS model; gaze control; power wheelchair.

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Eye Movements
  • Humans
  • Sensation
  • Upper Extremity
  • Wheelchairs*

Grants and funding

This research was partially supported by the 1st Batch of 2021 MOE of PRC Industry-University Collaborative Education Program (Program No. 202101042021, Kingfar-CES “Human Factors and Ergonomics” Program), the Humanity and Social Science Youth Foundation of the Ministry of Education of China (grant number: 18YJCZH249), the Guangzhou Science and Technology Planning Project (grant number: 201904010241), and the Humanity Design and Engineering Research Team (grant number: 263303306).