An electrically powered wheelchair has a main frame, a seat frame, a seat back frame, a footrest frame, a wheel section, and an obstacle detection sensor. The seat frame is disposed above the main frame, and supports a sitting seat which supports buttocks and thighs of a user. The seat back frame is disposed behind the main frame, and supports a backrest which supports a back of the user. The footrest frame is disposed in front of the main frame, and supports a footrest which supports feet of the user. The wheel section movably supports the main frame. The obstacle detection sensor is installed in front of the seat frame, and detects an obstacle.

A patient support apparatus for transporting a patient over a floor surface is described herein. The patient support apparatus includes a drive system with a drive member, a user interface arranged for selective user engagement by a user to operate the drive system, and a control system for operating the drive system. The control system includes a processor configured to determine that the patient transport apparatus is traveling on an inclined floor surface, monitor the user interface for changes in user engagement by a user, and operate the drive system to decelerate the drive member to one of a plurality of positions based on the changes in user engagement.

One embodiment of an electronics convenience vehicle (ECV) may include a frame, a plurality of wheels configured to support and move the frame, a seat supported by said frame, a steering mechanism disposed toward a front portion of the ECV, a motor configured to cause at least one wheel to be propelled forward, propelled backward, or to remain in a fixed position, a throttle, when activated in a first position, causes said motor to propel said at least one wheel in a forward direction, when activated in a second position, causes said motor to propel said at least one wheel in a reverse direction, at least one sensor directed to detect objects in front of a direction of travel of the ECV, and a control and communications unit (CCU) disposed in front of said seat, and configured to receive said sense signals and to control operations of said motor.

A person support apparatus with an extendable mattress, a night light message display system, a screen key pendant, egress handle siderails, and various other features. The extendable mattress includes hinged extensions along the sides of the extendable mattress that are moved from a nested position to the extension position. The screen key pendant includes a plurality of screen keys that can be pressed to cycle through various control modes for the person support apparatus. The night light message display system can be configured to display a message or image on the floor communicating information to the person and/or alerting the person as to when they are able to exit the bed.

A patient support apparatus (20) including a patient support surface (22) and a repositioning mechanism (24) for vertically and angularly repositioning the surface (22). The apparatus (20) including sensors (84) for automatically detecting and inhibiting attempts to vertically reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular angular position, and attempts to angularly reposition the surface (22) when it is at a particular vertical position. The apparatus (20) also includes a tilt control system (88) for limiting the extent to which head or foot ends (36,38) of the surface (22) can be angularly repositioned, a scale (92) and a warning system (120) for communicating a warning when a change in the weight on the surface (22) is indicative of a patient moving or attempting to move off of the surface (22), a sensor (122) for detecting an increase in amperage during an operation and stopping the operation, and an ability to update microcontroller programming via a controller area network bus (102).

A system and method for providing safety for a motorized mobile system (MMS) are optimized for accurate object detection, the system comprising at least two sensors that are operably configured to generate one or more of a range measurement and a bearing measurement to an object in a field-of-view of the sensors, wherein the range and bearing measurements have associated uncertainties.

A processing system is for a motorized mobile system that provides powered mobility to one or more users. The motorized mobile system may consist, for example, of one or more of a mobile chair, a mobility scooter, an electronic conveyance vehicle, a riding lawn mower, a grocery cart, an all-terrain vehicle, an off-road vehicle, and a golf cart. The processing system comprises at least one sensor to measure one or more kinematic states of an object proximate to the motorized mobile system and at least one processor to use at least one object kinematic model as at least one state estimator. The at least one processor predicts a first kinematic state estimate of the object at a first time based on a prior knowledge of state for the object. The at least one processor uses the first kinematic state estimate of the object at the first time and a measured kinematic state observed by the sensor at a second time to determine a second kinematic state estimate of the object at the second time, wherein the first time is less than the second time. The at least one processor outputs the first kinematic state estimate at the first time from the object kinematic model for use by at least one other process of the motorized mobile system, wherein the at least one other process causes one or more actions to be taken by the motorized mobile system based on the first kinematic state estimate of the object at the first time. The at least one processor uses the second kinematic state estimate at the second time as an input to the object kinematic model to predict another kinematic state estimate of the object.

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.

Patient handling equipment, such as a hospital bed, is provided with a propulsion system and a status indicator light system incorporated in the propulsion system and operable to generate at least two light beams beyond a perimeter of the bed. The light indicator, which may have different colors, shapes or intensities, can indicate the state of propulsion of the system and generates light beams which are visible all around the equipment so as to be visible to a carer from any angle. The apparatus may include an ambient light sensor disposed to detect floor level lighting conditions rather than general ambient light.

A patient support apparatus comprises a base and a patient support deck. The patient support deck comprises a back section capable of articulating relative to a seat section. A lift system lifts or lowers the patient support deck relative to the base. An articulation system articulates the back section relative to the seat section. Head end side rails are mounted to the back section to articulate with the back section. A controller controls operation of the lift system and/or the articulation system to prevent the head end side rails from colliding with obstacles, such as the floor surface.