Self-driving wheelchair rolls out at University of Toronto

Globalink intern working on cutting-edge autonomous chair with local prof

Working under the direction of Professor Jonathan Kelly, Xinyi is helping to extend leading-edge technology that makes it possible for the wheelchair to navigate and drive itself.

The WiFi-enabled wheelchair is unique because it incorporates low-cost visual sensors instead of expensive laser scanners, making it a much more feasible, near-term solution than similar proposed designs. It operates on the same principles as a self-driving car: an onboard computer provides a geometric map of a user’s surroundings and then the user issues simple commands to travel from point A to point B. The powerchair relies on computer vision technology to avoid obstacles, travel through doorways, and manoeuvre into safe positions. It is currently controlled via a tablet or smartphone.

“Part of the impetus for this project was the fact that we’re seeing so many companies get involved in self-driving cars,” says Professor Kelly, who is the director of the U of T Space and Terrestrial Autonomous Robotics Systems (STARS) Lab. “Certainly a self-driving wheelchair — which moves at much slower speeds — should be a slightly easier problem to solve.”

During her time in Canada, Xinyi is working to determine the best way for users with severe upper-body mobility limitations to command the chair simply and efficiently, using existing sip-and-puff switches or eye gaze technology.

For Xinyi, the experience of coming to Canada is an opportunity to explore a new academic atmosphere and gain the skills she will need to apply for either a master’s or PhD in the future.

“I haven’t decided about a specific career path yet, so my main goal is to perform my best and finish my internship with a scholarship to further my studies,” says Xinyi. 

Mitacs thanks the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for their support of the Globalink research internship in this story. Across Canada, the Globalink research internship program also receives support from Alberta Innovates, the Government of British Columbia, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, , the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan and Research Manitoba.

In addition, Mitacs is pleased to work with the following international partners to support the Globalink program: Universities Australia; the China Scholarship Council; Campus France; the German Academic Exchange Service; Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico; and Tunisia’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Mission Universitaire de Tunisie en Amerique du Nord.

Do you have a business challenge that could benefit from a research solution? If so, contact Mitacs today to discuss partnership opportunities: BD@mitacs.ca

Mitacs Team

Mitacs’s website content is created by people throughout our organization, united in their passion for innovation and eager to share their perspectives with others in the innovation ecosystem. 

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