title: Comparison of virtual and real electric powered wheelchair driving using a position sensing joystick and an isometric joystick.
abstract: There are limited interface options for electric powered wheelchairs, which results in the inability of some individuals to drive independently. In addition, the development of new interface technologies will necessitate the development of alternative training methods. This study compares a conventional position sensing joystick to a novel isometric joystick during a driving task in a virtual environment and a real environment. The results revealed that there were few differences in task completion time and root-mean-square error (RMSE) between the two types of joysticks. There were significant correlations between the RMSE in the virtual environment and the real environment for both types of joysticks. The data indicate that performance in the virtual environment was representative of driving ability in the real environment, and the isometric joystick performed comparably to the position sensing joystick.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Rehabilitation Science & Technology, Bioengineering and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, 5044 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. rcooper@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Rory A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Spaeth
authors.forename: Daniel K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Boninger
authors.forename: Shirley G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Songfeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014910:Wheelchairs