Brunel University London
Brunel University of London is a research-intensive university working across a range of engineering disciplines which includes assistive technology and inclusive design. Through the Scaling Innovation Programme, Brunel worked with Centaur Robotics and the Disability Policy Centre and a wheelchair user group to develop an intelligent smart wheelchair designed to support safer and more independent autonomous travel in transport and public environments.
The project explored how hands-free controls, obstacle detection and smart navigation could help remove barriers faced by wheelchair users when moving through stations, transport hubs and other complex environments.
The Challenge
Many wheelchair users encounter barriers when navigating busy public spaces and transport environments as well as indoor environments. Uneven surfaces, ramps, kerbs, crowded walkways and changing environmental conditions can make journeys more difficult and increase the effort required to travel independently. For some users, traditional joystick controls may also present challenges, limiting the range of mobility options available to them.
The project set out to explore whether intelligent technologies could provide greater flexibility, safety and independence by offering multiple ways to control a wheelchair while helping users navigate obstacles and changing environments more confidently.
The aim was not to replace user choice or control, but to create a system that adapts to different needs and disabilities and supports people in travelling more independently.
Developing the Solution
The project focused on designing and testing an intelligent wheelchair platform that combines multiple control methods with integrated safety features.
Working with wheelchair users and technical partners, the team developed three successive prototypes that demonstrated a range of control options, including head movement, eye tracking, voice commands and Bluetooth connectivity. This allows users to use the control method that best suits their needs and preferences as well as the environment they are navigating.
Alongside these control options, the project developed a safety system using sensors to detect obstacles, changes in terrain and potential drop-offs such as kerbs or platform edges. The system was designed to stop or adjust movement when hazards are detected, helping support safer navigation in unfamiliar or busy environments.
The project also laid the foundations for future route-planning functionality, which could help users identify safer and more accessible routes through transport hubs and public spaces.
Working with Wheelchair Users
Co-design was central to the project’s development.
Brunel worked closely with the Disability Policy Centre and a Wheelchair Users Steering Group to understand the challenges people experience when travelling and using mobility equipment in everyday environments. Workshops, demonstrations and consultation sessions enabled participants to test concepts, provide feedback and influence the direction of the project.
Participants highlighted a range of priorities, including obstacle detection, route planning, safety, comfort, affordability and reliability. Their feedback influenced both technical development and design decisions, including how the wheelchair responds to hazards, the way control systems operate and future plans for navigation support.
The project also benefited from the involvement of disabled researchers, wheelchair users and accessibility specialists, ensuring lived experience remained at the heart of the innovation process.
Impact
The project successfully demonstrated that intelligent, hands-free wheelchair control can be achieved using affordable and modular technologies.
Testing showed that the prototypes could reliably detect obstacles, identify changes in terrain and provide responsive control through multiple input methods. The modular approach also demonstrated how advanced accessibility features could potentially be integrated into mobility products without relying on expensive proprietary systems.
Importantly, the project highlighted how technology can support greater independence by giving users more flexibility in how they navigate their environment, both indoor and externally. Participants consistently prioritised simplicity, safety and reliability, reinforcing the importance of designing mobility solutions around real-world needs rather than technical complexity alone.
The work has also strengthened collaboration between researchers, industry partners and disabled people, creating a foundation for future innovation in accessible mobility.
What Happens Next?
The next phase of development will focus on creating a fully integrated prototype that brings together all control methods, safety systems and navigation functions into a single platform. Further user testing is planned within transport-related environments, including stations, ramps and public spaces, to understand how the technology performs in real-world conditions.
The project team will also explore future funding opportunities, industry partnerships and regulatory pathways to support wider development and potential commercialisation.
By combining engineering innovation with lived experience, the project demonstrates how intelligent mobility technologies can help remove barriers, increase independence and support more accessible journeys for wheelchair users.
The project team
Dr Ruiheng Wu, Senior Lecturer, Engineering Department – expertise lies in developing AI-driven solutions for real-world challenges, including mobility and accessibility innovations
Dr Hitesh H Patel, Senior Business Development Manager, Research Support Development Office – experience involving research and innovation administration
Ms Chloe Schendel-Wilson, The Disability Policy Centre, Co-Founder and Director of the Disability Policy Centre – leader in policy development and disability research, with extensive experience engaging disabled people and driving impactful advocacy.
Mr Eric Kihlstrom, Centaur Robotics, CEO – hands-on experience in designing and commercializing mobility solutions for individuals with disabilities.
Dr Yohan Noh, Lecturer, Department of Engineering. His expertise includes human-robot interaction, soft robotics, assistive technology, and smart mechanical systems.