Systems and methods for configuring a wheelchair are provided. One embodiment of a method includes receiving a passenger-specific setting for the wheelchair, determining that a chair component of the wheelchair is removably coupled to a power base component, and in response to determining that the chair component and the power base component are coupled, communicating the passenger-specific setting to the chair component. In some embodiments, in response to receiving the passenger-specific setting, implementing the passenger-specific setting, where implementing the passenger-specific setting includes altering a physical property of the wheelchair.

In a system for determining in-seat behavior of a user, a sensor mat is placed on a location of the seat. The sensor mat includes a plurality of sensors that are distributed anthropometrically so as to be placed below predetermined anatomical sites of a typical user. At least one training episode in which the user assumes at least one predetermined posture for a predetermined amount of time is executed. Training data from each of the plurality of sensors is recorded and sensor parameters are adjusted based on the training data. After the training episode, use data is sensed from the plurality of sensors during normal use of the seat by the user. The in-seat behavior of the user is characterized based on the use data which results in the generation of characterization data. At least one predetermined action is taken based on the characterization data.

An animate object detection system includes an apparatus configured for supporting an animate object and a sensor disposed in physical communication with the apparatus. The sensor includes a piezoelectric material and is configured for producing an electric signal in response to a force applied to the apparatus by the animate object. The system also includes a signal conditioner disposed in electrical communication with the sensor and configured for manipulating the electric signal and producing an output signal, and a receiver configured for receiving the output signal and generating an indicator signal. A method of detecting an animate object is also disclosed.

Provided are a mobility and a mobility system which enable a person who requires nursing care with a deteriorated bodily function or cognitive function to lead a life with greater independence. The drive and travel of the mobility by the travel drive unit are controlled by adjusting the current travel state of the mobility to an optimal travel state for ensuring safety while reflecting the user's intention based on the current operation instruction detected by the operation unit, the command signal generated by the voluntary control unit, the travel environment sensed by the environment sensing unit, and the respective types of environmental information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

A wheelchair including a supporting frame and moving means configured to allow the movement of the wheelchair, the supporting frame having a seating area for a user of the wheelchair, the wheelchair including first actuation means configured to translate the seating area laterally and externally with respect to the supporting frame and, at least partially, with respect to the moving means, in a transfer configuration of the user, supporting means being operationally associated with the seating area, being able to be activated in the transfer configuration of the seating area to support the seating area with respect to the ground, the seating area being defined, in the transfer configuration, by a main seat and a secondary seat able to be activated in the transfer configuration of the seating area to increase the extension of the main seat.

A patient immersion sensor includes a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) apparatus to determine a time of flight (TOF) of a RADAR pulse and a reflected signal that is reflected by a patient or by a portion of a patient support surface supporting the patient. The TOF is indicative of an immersion depth or a distance toward bottoming out of a patient supported on the patient support surface, such as a mattress or a pad. The RADAR apparatus emits pulses of very short duration so as to be able to detect objects, such as a patient or a portion of a mattress or pad, at very close distances. The RADAR apparatus may use time-of-flight (TOF) between transmission of the pulse and receipt of a reflected signal to determine a distance toward bottoming out by the patient, thereby to determine if the patient is properly immersed into the patient support surface. Adjustments to inflation or deflation of one or more bladders are made to achieve a desired immersion amount within a tolerance range between upper and lower TOF thresholds.

A facility for coordinating the safety care of a person is described. The facility receives sensor output indicating that the person has departed a place of repose. In response to this receiving, the facility establishes an alarm identifying the person, accesses a set of on-duty caregivers, and applies one or more precedence rules to establish a precedence among at least a portion of the set of on-duty caregivers. Until a caregiver has accepted the alarm, for each caregiver in the established precedence, the facility: causes a mobile device carried by the caregiver to render a message notifying the caregiver of the alarm and soliciting the caregiver's acceptance of the alarm; and allows the caregiver an interval of time of a first predetermined length in which to accept the alarm before proceeding to the next caregiver in the established precedence.

Techniques are described for collecting sensor data associated with a wheelchair and, based on the sensor data, determining metric(s) for a user of the wheelchair. Sensor(s) attached to, or in proximity to, the wheelchair may collect sensor data describing the wheelchair and/or its component(s), such as location, velocity, acceleration, direction of movement, orientations (e.g., pitch, yaw, roll), angular velocity of wheels, angular acceleration of wheels, and so forth. The sensor data may be analyzed to determine (e.g., fitness) metrics such as a caloric burn rate, a metabolic burn rate, and/or power expenditure of the user while the user is employing the wheelchair to exercise or otherwise move. The metric(s) and/or sensor data may be presented to the user through a user interface on a smartphone, tablet computer, wearable computer, or other device, to enable the user to monitor fitness metric(s) during use of the wheelchair.

A system for warning of protruding body parts of a medical vehicle occupant includes a sensor, a feedback device, and a processing circuit. The sensor is configured to generate sensor data based on a position of the occupant, and the processing circuit is configured to determine a contour of the medical vehicle, detect a protruding extremity of the occupant based on the sensor data and the contour, and generate a warning using the feedback device, where the warning is based on the detected protruding extremity.

A facility for coordinating the safety care of a person is described. The facility receives sensor output indicating that the person has departed a place of repose. In response to this receiving, the facility establishes an alarm identifying the person, accesses a set of on-duty caregivers, and applies one or more precedence rules to establish a precedence among at least a portion of the set of on-duty caregivers. Until a caregiver has accepted the alarm, for each caregiver in the established precedence, the facility: causes a mobile device carried by the caregiver to render a message notifying the caregiver of the alarm and soliciting the caregiver's acceptance of the alarm; and allows the caregiver an interval of time of a first predetermined length in which to accept the alarm before proceeding to the next caregiver in the established precedence.