Wheelchair lets ALS patients move independently

A research team from northwestern China has developed an intelligent wheelchair that allows patients with diseases that restrict movement like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to move, turn around and control devices in a smart home by reading the movement of the user's eyes.

The device, developed by a team from Xidian University in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, incorporates technologies such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things - which involves connecting devices through a network - and includes a tablet and camera in front of the user's face.

By looking at the screen, patients will be able to command the wheelchair to move forward or backward, turn around and avoid obstacles.