Admittance based control of wheelchair typed omnidirectional robot for walking support and power assistance

In this paper, a new type of omnidirectional mobile robot is developed, that not only can be used for the elderly´s walking support, the disabled´s walking rehabilitation, but also can be used for a caregiver´s power assistance when he/she pushes the robot to move while the elderly or the disabled is sitting in the seat. The omnidirectional mobility of the robot is analyzed, and an admittance based human-machine interaction controller is introduced for power assistance. The experimental results show that the pushing force is reduced and well controlled as we planned. The purpose of walking support and power assistance is achieved.