“Self Driving Wheelchair?” Chapter 83

Who needs a Tesla when you can have a hands free, ragtop wheelchair?

This sweet ride comes complete with a computer dashboard, front and back lights, 10 inch no-flat tires, adjustable seats and safety belt, customized wrap paint, and will go from 0 to 5 MPH in 6 seconds.

Before I tell you where to get yours, I have to go back to the beginning. Okay, maybe that might take too long, so I’ll just go back two years. The wheelchair is from Permobil and when I got it, I was measured for the right size. I am quite happy with it and don’t mind finding screws and parts on the ground every so often. I figured if they fall off, then I didn’t need them. The one thing I didn’t think of or know anything about was the eye gaze integration I would eventually need. Because the sales person only spoke about the wheelchair and certain options the company provided, the technology wasn't discussed and I didn't know enough to ask about it.

Later, when I finally started using my wheelchair daily, I was happy using my hand to drive it. Unable to walk, the wheelchair gave me some independence again. Then came the day I was no longer able to control the wheelchair on my own. Once again, I needed help getting around. I had heard there were eye gaze systems I could use to drive and use the wheelchair functions, so I decided to explore options and get one.

Just like my driving, nothing about this ride with ALS has been a straight line and I hope my experience might make yours a little less curvy.

I hope you benefit from my journey and lessons learned:

When the salesperson arrived to talk about an eye gaze system, Laura and I thought we were getting ahead of the ALS curve, and for the most part, we were. However, just like the Permobil salesperson focused on his own line of products, he was only offering Tobii Dynovox (TD) products. Again, I don’t think he was wrong, but I am more of a Santa Claus from “The Miracle on 34th Street” kinda guy. If I don’t have what you need, I will send you somewhere else.

The TD system is basically a Tablet surrounded by a durable case that integrates a speaker and eye gaze technology, and I had a choice between an iPad or Mac system. For me, since my family uses an orchid of Apple products already, I decided to go with iPad. Using the Mac system with the TD for the eye gaze would have worked just fine, but I am more comfortable and familiar using the iPad, and I can also connect my phone for texting. What we didn’t talk about - and what I didn't even know to think about yet - was what I would need in the future to drive the wheelchair.

I was also offered an opportunity to speak with a salesperson from Tolt. another company who offers an eye gaze product connected to a iPad or Windows tablet. The issue is the Tolt doesn’t have a hard case protecting the eye gaze and external speaker system, and doesn’t have the ability to use all of the TD Apps to speak audibly.

With that in mind, I selected the TD iPad configuration and it worked great for me until the time came when I was no longer able to drive my chair with my hands and was again stuck relying on others to move around and adjust my chair. Eventually I learned that eye gaze systems could be connected to my wheelchair, and all it would take was a technician to come add some parts and wires to the wheelchair and bam! I'd be off to the races with some independence again.

WARNING - SHARP CURVES AHEAD

The technician arrived ready to get me connected, only to tell us that the TD iPad version I'd been using doesn’t have the software to drive the wheelchair because of Apple licensing and restrictions. However, the TD Windows Tablet is capable of integrating successfully and I would have to change systems in order to drive. I thought, “Gee that would have been helpful to know a year ago when you were explaining the two versions.” Remember what I said about the salespersons ONLY discussing their own products and how I operate more like Santa. Neither mentioned eye gaze driving and what was required to connect to the wheelchair and eye gaze together, and I hadn't been ready yet to ask all the right questions.

So the TD salesperson tells us that if the Veteran Affairs (VA) can replace your system for the TD Windows version, you'll will be able to keep all your photos and other data from the iPad simply by switching over to the Windows tablet. We contacted the VA, explained our situation, and after a month or so, we were finally told they were going to help. Yes! Mobility and independence was again on the way, and I'd keep everything from the iPad with only minor adjustments and a learning period for the new system, and I was okay with that. Like Bruce Lee said, “Be like water my friend."

WARNING - EVEN MORE SHARP CURVES AHEAD

We waited another month, and then the technician showed up ready to install the new system. However, when he pulled it out of the box, it didn’t look anything like the TD system I'd been using. I remained calm and waited for the complete installation. After it was hooked up, I took it for a spin around the block. I was able to control all functions of the chair and thought, “this is great!" Then I remembered what I had been told about the Tolt system in the first place - There was no hard case, no external speakers, and it didn't have all of the TD licenses needed to communicate as well as the TD system I'd been using. I HATE curves, so I put it back in the box and pouted, and it sat there for the next three months. I was grateful, but I resigned to taking the shape of an ice cube and had to wait for it to melt.

In the end, I have two different systems that together can accomplish everything I need, but I could have made a more educated decision if people had only communicated effectively from the beginning.

My final recommendation is the TD Windows Tablet which will give you everything you need to drive, communicate and avoid curves. Drive safe and remember, just because your hands are free, drinking and driving is still illegal and there’s no handicap stalls in jail.

Love and Blessings.

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