Usability Evaluation of a Novel Robotic Power Wheelchair for Indoor and Outdoor Navigation

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the Mobility Enhancement roBotic (MEBot) wheelchair’s capabilities with commercial electric-powered wheelchairs (EPWs) by performing a systematic usability evaluation. DesignUsability in effectiveness, efficacy, and satisfaction was evaluated using quantitative measures. A semistructured interview was employed to gather feedback about the users’ interaction with MEBot. SettingLaboratory testing of EPW driving performance with 2 devices in a controlled setting simulating common EPW driving tasks. ParticipantsA convenience sample of expert EPW users (N=12; 9 men, 3 women) with an average age of 54.7±10.9 years and 16.3± 8.1 years of EPW driving experience. InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresPowered mobility clinical driving assessment (PMCDA), Satisfaction Questionnaire, National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Task Load Index. ResultsParticipants were able to perform significantly higher number of tasks (P=.004), with significantly higher scores in both the adequacy-efficacy (P=.005) and the safety (P=.005) domains of the PMCDA while using MEBot over curbs and cross-slopes. However, participants reported significantly higher mental demand (P=.005) while using MEBot to navigate curbs and cross-slopes due to MEBot’s complexity to perform its mobility applications which increased user’s cognitive demands. ConclusionsOverall, this usability evaluation demonstrated that MEBot is a promising EPW device to use indoors and outdoors with architectural barriers such as curbs and cross-slopes. Current design limitations were highlighted with recommendations for further improvement.