Comparative Study Between a Voice Command Interface and a Chin Joystick for Controlling a Motorized Wheelchair

Motorized wheelchair control interface technologies have been developed to enhance the quality of life for individuals with severe motor impairments. While various types of interfaces have been created over time, invasive systems remain the most commonly used today. This research focuses on wheelchair users who lack movement in both their upper and lower limbs. The objective of this article is to contribute to the advancement of motorized wheelchair control interfaces for quadriplegic individuals. To identify key parameters for the development of improved interfaces, a comparative study was conducted analyzing two specific technologies: the chin joystick and voice control. These two interfaces were designed and assembled for testing; the chin joystick, which is invasive, is widely used, while the voice control interface is non-invasive and less commonly adopted. A software simulator was implemented to assess factors such as ease of use, learning curve, and user adaptation to the interfaces. A systematic comparison method was developed and employed, as discussed in this article. The results, including test data and analyses of the advantages and disadvantages of each interface, are presented in graphical form. The study concluded that, despite being non-invasive and easier to learn, the voice command interface performed less effectively in the developed tests compared to the invasive chin joystick interface.