An evaluation of low-cost sensors for smart wheelchairs

The success of smart wheelchairs in practice will depend on achieving sensing that is both highly reliable and low cost. Recent options, made in volume for gaming and for hobbyists, offer such a possibility. Several sensors, including a 3-D camera, low-cost laser rangefinders, sonar sensors and a low-cost inertial measurement unit, were considered for use on a smart wheelchair. Encouraging performance results are reported.