The present disclosure describes a system for providing an assistive driving force to a wheelchair. The system comprises a power assist system which includes a motion sensing system that is configured to detect the motion of the power assist system, and hence of the wheelchair, and a power assist drive system that is configured to provide an assistive drive force. The system also comprises a sensor, such as may be embedded in a wearable wristband, that is configured to detect the motion of a user's hand and that is in communication with the power assist system. The system may be configured to determine whether the wheelchair is being manually pushed based at least in part on the user motion, and to activate an assistive drive force in response to a manual push. The system may also be configured to determine whether the wheelchair is being manually braked based at least in part on the user motion, and to deactivate an assistive drive force in response to a manual brake.

A system for monitoring a condition of a mobility system includes a number of sensors coupled to the mobility system, the number of sensors being structured and configured to generate data indicative of use of the mobility system during use, and a controller implementing a trained machine learning system. The controller is structured and configured to receive the data, characterize a lifecycle stage of the mobility system using the trained machine learning system based on at least the received data, and generate an alert for required maintenance for and/or predicted breakdown of the mobility system based on the characterized lifecycle stage.

A climate-controlled bed capable of adapting to the needs of a sleeper via a closed loop feedback control system is provided. The bed includes a thermoelectric energy source, a sensor configured to monitor a physiological temperature of a sleeper, and a control system that regulates a temperature of the bed via the thermoelectric energy source. The control system can utilize data from the sensor to determine optimal thermal needs of the sleeper. The control system can also vary the temperature of the bed during a sleep cycle based on at least one predetermined sleep factor, such as the natural circadian temperature cycle.

This disclosure concerns a communication system adapted to communicate between a handheld remote control and a first adjustable bed controller of a first adjustable bed facility, and a second communication system adapted to communicate between the first adjustable bed controller of the first adjustable bed facility and a second adjustable bed controller of a second adjustable bed facility.

A first embodiment provides a manually operable castor assembly for a hospital bed, including a wheel unit fittable to a bed frame and provided with a lock actuator. A sensor unit is provided with a trigger element and a sensor element, the trigger element being located on the manually operable brake actuator and the sensor element being located on the wheel unit. Another embodiment provides a manually operable safety side panel assembly including a hinge assembly coupled to the panel element and attachable to a bed frame, and a sensor unit including a trigger element and a sensor element, the trigger element being located on the manually operable actuator and the sensor element being located on a part of the side panel or hinge assembly. Monitoring apparatus monitors the manually operable bed safety device and including a control unit coupled to the sensor unit and an indicator unit controllable by the control unit and operable to give an indication of the state of the device.

Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus for use with a subject who shares a bed with a second person. A motion sensor detects motion of the subject and motion of the second person, and generates a motion signal in response thereto. A control unit identifies components of the motion signal that were generated in response to motion of the subject, by distinguishing between components of the motion signal that were generated in response to motion of the subject, and components of the motion signal that were generated in response to motion of the second person. The control unit analyzes the components of the motion signal that were generated in response to motion of the subject and generates an output in response thereto. Other applications are also described.

A system for autonomous patient support apparatuses is provided. A computing device receives: (i) patient data relating to patients at a healthcare facility, and (ii) autonomous patient support apparatus data relating to autonomous patient support apparatuses at the healthcare facility, the autonomous patient support apparatus data including configuration information and occupancy status for the autonomous patient support apparatuses. The computing device predicts an expected number of additional patients to be admitted to the healthcare facility. The computing device generates a request to modify a configuration of one or more autonomous patient support apparatuses within a patient treatment room based, at least in part, on the patient data, the autonomous patient support apparatus data, and the expected number of additional patients. The computing device instructs the one or more autonomous patient support apparatuses to modify the configuration of the one or more autonomous patient support apparatuses within the patient treatment room.

A patient transport apparatus transports a patient over a floor surface. The patient transport apparatus comprises a support structure and support wheels coupled to the support structure. An auxiliary wheel is coupled to the support structure to influence motion of the patient transport apparatus over the floor surface to assist users. An actuator is operatively coupled to the auxiliary wheel and operable to move the auxiliary wheel relative to the support structure from a retracted position to a deployed position. A user interface sensor is operatively connected to the actuator and configured to generate signals responsive to the user touching the user interface. A controller is operatively coupled to the user interface sensor and the actuator to operate the actuator in response to detection of signals.

A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.

A small electric vehicle includes: a vehicle body that has a forward and backward direction, and a width direction; left and right driving wheels provided apart in the width direction of the vehicle body; left and right motors connected so as to respectively transmit power to the left and right driving wheels; an operation unit that includes a joystick-type operation piece; and a control unit for controlling the left and right motors according to an amount of operation on the operation piece, wherein the control unit is configured to execute deceleration and stop control when the operation piece is returned to the neutral position during travel, and execute rapid stop control irrespective of an amount of operation in left and right directions when the operation piece is tilted backward during forward travel at a speed equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.