Development of a magnetic control system for an electric wheelchair using the tongue

One of the most important problems for patients with severe disability is the control systems for electric wheelchairs, because they cannot use common systems as the joystick or keypads. This paper proposes the development of a magnetic control system (MCS) to handle a power wheelchair as an alternative control system for patients with spinal cord injuries, as quadriplegics. The proposed system uses the movements of the patient´s tongue to operate the power wheelchair, and also includes the development of new communication protocols for the wheelchair through a microcontroller, bridge H and magnetic control.