Gesture and Voice Controlled Wheelchair

Abstract

The paper depicts the design and execution of a mobile robotic wheelchair controlled by voice and gesture using Mecanum wheels, with an ESP8266 micro controller used for further command processing. The novel system uses a gesture recognition module, which is intended to obtain commands based on hand movements to reflect into motion commands to the wheelchair. Voice command enables one to use the hands-free interface for mobility impaired individuals. The Mecanum wheel mechanism enables omnidirectional movement, which makes it easy to maneuver in tight locations and dynamic environments. The ESP8266 micro controller has been handy because it consumes less power, processes efficiently, and facilitates real-time communication. The paper demonstrates the challenges that pose gesture and voice control on an omnidirectional mobility platform and creates awareness concerning reliability, accuracy, and robustness in real-life applications. This was quite important, since the essence of this whole project is primarily contributing in two aspects: a step-forward in shared mobility solutions and being an intuitive, flexible, and efficient aid for the use of physically disabled persons.