Power mobility with collision avoidance for older adults: user, caregiver, and prescriber perspectives.
Collision avoidance technology has the capacity to facilitate safer mobility among older power mobility users with physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments, thus enabling independence for more users. Little is known about consumers' perceptions of collision avoidance. This article draws on interviews (29 users, 5 caregivers, and 10 prescribers) to examine views on design and utilization of this technology. Data analysis identified three themes: "useful situations or contexts," "technology design issues and real-life application," and "appropriateness of collision avoidance technology for a variety of users." Findings support ongoing development of collision avoidance for older adult users. The majority of participants supported the technology and felt that it might benefit current users and users with visual impairments, but might be unsuitable for people with significant cognitive impairments. Some participants voiced concerns regarding the risk for injury with power mobility use and some identified situations where collision avoidance might be beneficial (driving backward, avoiding dynamic obstacles, negotiating outdoor barriers, and learning power mobility use). Design issues include the need for context awareness, reliability, and user interface specifications. User desire to maintain driving autonomy supports development of collaboratively controlled systems. This research lays the groundwork for future development by illustrating consumer requirements for this technology.
Intelligent Assistive Technology and Systems Lab, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network and Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, 160 - 500 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7 Canada. rosalie.wang@uhn.ca.
Rosalie H
RH
Wang
Alexandra
A
Korotchenko
Laura
L
Hurd Clarke
W Ben
WB
Mortenson
Alex
A
Mihailidis
D000056:Accident Prevention; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D001290:Attitude; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D014910:Wheelchairs
caregiver; collision avoidance; intelligent wheelchair; older adult; power mobility; qualitative methods; safety; smart wheelchair; technology design; user experience