How to Fabricate, Configure, and Install a Backup System Camera onto a Wheelchair

Rear view camera systems used in automobiles can be fabricated, configured, and installed on wheelchairs so users can increase their field of view. We aim to design a step-by-step guide that permits wheelchair users to have the capability to install a rearview backup system camera on their own wheelchair.

All parts used are available online (For a detailed list of materials and part numbers, see slide 13). The instructables for this design will most likely require access to a machine shop.

Bolding indicates important instructions. Hovering over the Yellow boxes on pictures will provide with additional hints!

Watch our videos!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAOUh5jbyjw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfb3Gn1bGws&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AAW4qdD3ek&feature=player_embedded

Remove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Follow GeniusRobotics!

The GENIUS (Girls Exploring New Ideas Using Science) FIRST LEGO League robotics team from the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta developed a prototype for a wheelchair backup system on a manual wheelchair for their 2010 Body Forward season. With the help of engineers from CATEA at Georgia Tech, they were able to implement their idea on the electric wheelchairs for two of their friends. The team won the "Make a Difference" Judges' Award at the FIRST World Festival in April 2011 for this project.

Visit our websites !
http://geniusrobotics.com/
http://blog.girlscouts.org/2011/06/girls-exploring-new-ideas-using-science.html

Follow us on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/GeniusRobotics

Watch our videos!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAOUh5jbyjw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfb3Gn1bGws&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AAW4qdD3ek&feature=player_embedded

Skyriam says: Sep 2, 2011. 9:23 PM

I like your project, congratulations are in order. However, I reeeally think this is a super-expensive, over-engineered, time-consuming project. No need to put a system that will add weight and empty the parent's pockets when 2 mirrors can do the trick, and may work even better, just like in cars. "Ockham's razor" if you will.

I think this is a great Proof-of-Concept project, but nothing else. Practicality it's not it's strongest. Much congratulations and respect anyway. Take care.

Taranach in reply to SkyriamOct 3, 2011. 12:34 AM

Just like in cars, a user must turn their head and sometimes even their body to see those spots a mirror does not cover. Many people in wheelchairs do not have this ability. Convex mirrors, to get a wider view, are not practical because the distance are warped. also the angles required to see behind you mean very wide or awkward placement.

Perhaps you should look into what the needs of the person using the chair might be before you make uninformed comments. I think that their project was a brilliant use of newer technology and is probably a LOT less than a similar system would be if offered by the medical establishment. I have worked in that industry and was shocked to see things cost three to five times what they would normally be worth... for identical items... only because they were called "medical" equipment".

GENIUS Robotics in reply to TaranachOct 7, 2011. 5:15 PM

Thank you for your support! You rock!

GENIUS Robotics says: Sep 18, 2011. 9:37 AM

Our Girl Scout robotics team came up for the idea for this project and implemented it with assistance from CATEA at Georgia Tech (thank you!). It is true that mirrors are less expensive. However, they stick out to the side of the wheelchair and make it difficult to get through doorways without folding in the mirror. In the case of one of our friends, she does not have the strength to fold in a mirror by herself, so a mirror would limit her ability to get around on her own. Mirrors require the user to look to the side to see the mirror, which is not possible for some wheelchair users. Also, mirrors can have blind spots, which is one reason why backup cameras are becoming increasingly popular on vehicles.

The backup camera system does not add a lot of weight to the wheelchair. The monitor can be mounted so it doesn't stick out past the arm of the wheelchair, so getting through doorways is not a problem. The monitor can also be positioned so the user can see it without turning their head.

Both of our friends really like their camera systems and find them very useful. Quinn had to have his removed temporarily when he got a new seat and he was eager to have it reinstalled on his new seat. Quinn had tried mirrors in the past, but he stopped using them because they got in the way. We hope others will find these instructions useful. If anyone uses them to install a camera on a wheelchair, we'd love to hear about it.