Ability Drive allows users who are not able to use a joystick to drive their powered wheelchair with their eyes


Ability Drive is a control system that enables the user to drive powered wheelchair with their eyes, using eye gaze technology. Typical users may be people with Motor Neurone Disease, Muscular Dystrophy or Cerebral Palsy. Ability Drive was developed by Tolt Technologies in the United States and has a growing user base across the World.

Safety of the user is paramount when considering Ability Drive. Ability Drive has a number of safety features built in to protect the user, however of equal importance is the user and their powered wheelchair driving skills and experience. Most powered wheelchairs in the UK are provided through local NHS wheelchair services, and in these cases a user’s local wheelchair service will approve the use of Ability Drive. This will involve both a technical approval, to match Ability Drive with the powered wheelchair and accessories and also user competence approval. Rahana Life is committed to work with local wheelchair services to provide the best service to users. In cases of provision outside a local NHS wheelchair service, Rahana Life will work with all services and practitioners to ensure the effective and safe use of Ability Drive.

 
 
 
“our goal is to allow as many individuals as possible to make the most of their reduced arm function by providing the support they need”
— Rahana Life

Independent

Ability Drive allows the user to continue to drive their powered wheelchair when they can no longer use their hands, staying independently mobile.

The user is in total control of the Ability Drive App, and can switch into and out of the app as required using eye gaze controls.

Technology

The Ability Drive app runs on a tablet computer equipped with an eye gaze camera. The app senses the user gaze on virtual buttons which send directional movement commands to the Ability Drive hardwired interface. These buttons are overlaid on the forward camera view.

Looking at the stop button image on the screen, to looking away or the user closes their eyes, stops the wheelchair movement.

Connected

Ability Drive can be mounted on almost any powered wheelchair .

Ability Drive can connect to both R-NET and Dynamics LiNX wheelchir contort systems.

Ability Drive connects with many eye gaze communication system. Told Technologies are continually adding new eye gaze systems to the list of compatible devices. An up to date list is provided here :- Compatible eye gaze communication devices