How to develop smart wheelchairs for persons with disabilities in alignment with 4IR?

Developing smart wheelchairs for persons with disabilities, in line with the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), poses several challenges. Traditional wheelchairs often lack the features needed to provide autonomy and ease of mobility for users with diverse disabilities. The aim is to create a wheelchair that uses advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics to enhance the mobility and independence of individuals with disabilities. One of the main challenges is designing a wheelchair that can navigate various environments safely and efficiently, including indoors and outdoors, without requiring manual control. This involves integrating sensors for obstacle detection, navigation systems that can plan routes, and technology that allows the wheelchair to be controlled through voice commands, gestures, or even brain signals. Additionally, the smart wheelchair must be comfortable, cost effective, customizable to meet individual needs, and easy to use, with a user-friendly interface. It should also be durable, yet lightweight and portable for convenience. Ensuring the smart wheelchair is affordable and accessible to those who need it most presents another significant challenge. The development process must consider cost-effective manufacturing techniques and the potential for subsidies or financial assistance programs. In summary, the challenge lies in leveraging 4IR technologies to develop a smart wheelchair that offers enhanced mobility and independence for persons with disabilities. This requires innovative design and engineering, a focus on user experience, and strategies to make the technology widely available and affordable.