Hand Gesture Control Wheelchair for Disabled People

Abstract

A new assistive technology, called the Hand Gesture Control Wheelchair (HGCW) system, is designed to help individuals with mobility impairments increase their independence and mobility. Thesystem consists of a wearable device with sensors that detect hand movements and Arduino microcontrollers for real-time data processing andwheelchair control.The HGCW system usesgesture recognition algorithms to translate hand gestures into corresponding wheelchair movements, such as forward, backward, left, and right turns, and communicates wirelessly with the wheelchair\'s control unit. The system is cost-effective, customizable, and intuitive, making it accessible to a wide range of users. The HGCW system has the potential to revolutionize the way disabled individuals navigate their environment, empowering them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. Through the adjustment of the head motion, the information goes wirelessly tothe microcontroller dependentmotor driving circuit to control the rotation of the WheelChairin five differentmodes, including FRONT, BACK, RIGHT, LEFT anda special STAND lockingdevice. The proposed system is assembled using components obtained from the local market and checked in the laboratory for efficient performance, the test results are included in this article.

Introduction

Improving mobility for individuals with disabilities, especially those with limited upper body movement, is crucial for independence and quality of life. Traditional wheelchair controls like joysticks can be difficult for some users. This paper presents a Hand Gesture Control Wheelchair (HGCW) system that uses IoT and Arduino technology to allow intuitive wheelchair navigation via hand gestures, offering a hands-free alternative suitable for users with dexterity challenges.

The literature review highlights existing wheelchair control systems using accelerometers, ultrasonic sensors, MEMS technology, and other methods for navigation and obstacle avoidance, showing ongoing efforts to improve wheelchair usability.

The proposed HGCW system features:

• A wearable device capturing hand gestures, which wirelessly sends commands to the wheelchair.

• Core components include an Arduino UNO microcontroller, L293D motor driver, RF transmitter-receiver modules, DC motors for movement, ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection, and buzzers for audio feedback.

• The system aims to be affordable and accessible compared to expensive automated wheelchairs or joystick-controlled models.

• Real-time gesture recognition is enabled via accelerometers and wireless communication (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), integrating sensors for safety and better control accuracy.

The methodology combines gesture detection, microcontroller processing, motor control, wireless communication, and sensor feedback to deliver a reliable, user-friendly wheelchair control system designed to enhance autonomy for people with physical disabilities.

Conclusion

The Our research effectively enables wheelchair control for individuals with disabilities through hand gestures. It incorporates object and fall detection for enhanced safety. Further advancements could utilize diverse body movements like eye tracking, leg motions, voice control, or head tilts, for personalized user experiences.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Sweta Biranje, Dipali Ahire, Samadhan Desale, Shubham Tayde, Swarupa Wagh. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.