A cabinet or cart has at least one limited-access drawer or compartment and employs facial recognition (FR) to permit an authorized user to access the limited-access drawer or compartment. A visible light image of the user and a thermal image of the user are taken simultaneously or nearly simultaneously, with the thermal image serving to confirm the validity of the FR and authenticate the user's identity.

A self-leveling mechanism for a mobility device, the mobility device including a chassis configured to propel the mobility device on a surface, includes a leveling structure on which is mounted a user support for supporting a user of the mobility device. The leveling structure is connected to the chassis by a swivel connection that enables the leveling structure to swivel about the connection, and by two linearly displaceable connections that are laterally displaced from one another. Two linear actuators are each configured to displace one of the displaceable connections to adjust a distance between each displaceable connection and the chassis. A sensor for senses a tilt of the leveling structure and a controller is configured to operate the linear actuators in accordance with the sensed tilt.

Optionally, a plurality of spacers 228 is arranged between the planar surface 120 of the interfacing arrangement 114 (or the top horizontal arm) and the seat arrangement 102, for permanently raising the seat arrangement 102 with respect to the interfacing arrangement 114. The spacers 228 can be implemented as rectangular or cylindrical solid blocks that can be fabricated from plastics materials, metals, metal alloys, polymers, ceramics, wood, composites and so forth. The spacers 228 can be fixed between the seat arrangement 102 and the top planar surface 120 of the top horizontal arm of the interfacing arrangement 114 such that height of the seat arrangement 102 relative to the footrest arrangement 116 is raised. For example, a plurality of metallic spacers is fixed between the seat arrangement 102 and the interface arrangement by a technician such as by welding the metallic spacers between the seat arrangement 102 and the interface arrangement. Such metallic spacers enable a height of the seat arrangement 102 to be customized with respect to the footrest arrangement 116, such as, when the height is required to be permanently adjusted for specifications (such as height) of the user.

An electric wheelchair propulsion system for a wheelchair. The propulsion system has a first and a second torque transfer hub rotatably mounted to a respective first and second drive wheel of the wheelchair, and an elongated axle tube arranged between the first and second hubs. First and second motors are arranged within the axle tube extending from opposing ends thereof. First and second drive axles are insertable into bores of the first and second hubs respectively, and are operatively connected to the first and second motors respectively. Means are provided to control the actuation of the motors. Actuation of the motors drives a rotation thereof, transferring a torque to the drive axles. The drive axles in turn transfer a torque to the hubs, thereby rotating the drive wheels.

The present invention is intended to provide an EMG signal controller or a wheelchair using an EMG signal controller to allow full vehicular direct drive control, and wheelchair accessory control, by using one or more EMG sensors applied to certain muscles of a subject, and translating the movement of the muscles of the subject that the EMG sensors are connected, to electrical signals causing for the operation of a motorized wheelchair. The controller and wheelchair are designed specifically for paralyzed individuals with limited motion, but may be used by any subject with or without any physical or nervous system disabilities. The present invention further provides an emergency stop which is activated in the event that the subject using the wheelchair experiences a seizure or other neurological shock.

The present invention is intended to provide an EMG signal controller or a wheelchair using an EMG signal controller to allow full vehicular direct drive control, and wheelchair accessory control, by using one or more EMG sensors applied to certain muscles of a subject, and translating the movement of the muscles of the subject that the EMG sensors are connected, to electrical signals causing for the operation of a motorized wheelchair. The controller and wheelchair are designed specifically for paralyzed individuals with limited motion, but may be used by any subject with or without any physical or nervous system disabilities. The present invention further provides an emergency stop which is activated in the event that the subject using the wheelchair experiences a seizure or other neurological shock.

The present invention is directed toward a system and method for effectively managing, transporting, and taking care of patients in a hospital facility. Primarily this is done through the use of an automated bed with corresponding controls and devices installed within the facility. Precautionary fail safes are implemented such that any medical profession can override the system should an error be detected. Constant monitoring and control of all automated beds may occur from a centralized system. These systems and methods will allow for better allocation of hospital resources, providing much more efficient care to all patients.

An electric wheelchair propulsion system for a wheelchair. The propulsion system has a first and a second torque transfer hub rotatably mounted to a respective first and second drive wheel of the wheelchair, and an elongated axle tube arranged between the first and second hubs. First and second motors are arranged within the axle tube extending from opposing ends thereof. First and second drive axles are insertable into bores of the first and second hubs respectively, and are operatively connected to the first and second motors respectively. Means are provided to control the actuation of the motors. Actuation of the motors drives a rotation thereof, transferring a torque to the drive axles. The drive axles in turn transfer a torque to the hubs, thereby rotating the drive wheels.

Embodiments herein relate to an activation system that may include one or more floorboards with respective holes in the floorboards. The system may further include one or more pushrods positioned adjacent to the holes such that the one or more pushrods are able to extend through the holes to activate one or more switches of a motorized apparatus. The system may further include a clamp to couple with a linear actuator of the motorized apparatus and a switch cam arm coupled with the clamp and the one or more pushrods, wherein the switch cam arm is to facilitate extension of the one or more pushrods when the linear actuator is retracted. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

A robotic assistant, associated software and methodology for operating the same. The described robotic assistant includes: a motorized base having at least two motor driven wheels controlled by a first control platform; a dual arm robot mounted on the motorized base, the dual arm robot having a first arm and a second arm controlled by a second control platform; a remote sip and puff mouth controller having three degrees of operational freedom; and a computer system that receives command signals from the remote sip and puff mouth controller, and includes an algorithm that translates the command signals into a first type of control signal for directing the motorized base to move, and a second type of control signal for directing the dual arm robot to move.