PSCHITT-PMR

Modalities of the multimodal platform PSCHITT transportation research platform, the PSCHITT-PMR platform is a simulator dedicated to the mobility of a Person with Reduced Mobility (PMR) in a wheelchair. It is part of the autonomous mobility program at the laboratory and is part of the CPER's regional PMR-Lab platform RITMEA.

Overview

Designed by LAMIH, the PSCHITT-PMR platform allows users of manual or motorized wheelchairs to navigate a simulated, immersive, and dynamic environment in a safe, experimental setting. PSCHITT-PMR is a full-scale, medium-weight scientific system (motorized roller table, reconfigurable instrumented wheelchair, etc.) equipped with a simulation software environment tailored for research use.

Involved in several projects, the PSCHITT-PMR platform uses its advanced features to safely meet experimental needs in various usage contexts, such as:

The design, prototyping, and evaluation of advanced mobility assistance systems;
The study and modeling of people with reduced mobility;
Quantifying the biomechanical cost associated with movement;
Studying the impact of the environment on the difficulty of movement.

Keywords

Mobility Assistance, Biomechanical Cost

Representative Projects

QBA and CapaCITIES (estimation of the biomechanical cost of wheelchair mobility)

Features

Wheelchair movement simulation (dynamic, visual, and auditory immersion)
Interaction with the user, either live or pre-planned (scripted)
Real-time data capture (user and environment)
Ability to adjust the wheelchair’s geometry

Technical Specifications

Wheelchair-Specific
- Experimental wheelchair: remotely reconfigurable geometry, motorized wheels with speed measurement, torque sensors (user force on the armrests)
- Motorized roller bench that simulates the propulsion or braking of the wheelchair’s wheels
- SCANeR Studio (AVSimulation) open simulation environment, adapted for the wheelchair
Immersion
- Motion: dynamic base with 6 degrees of freedom (Bosch-Rexroth)
- Video: 180° display via full HD screens (Samsung)
- Audio: 6.1 multichannel system (Behringer, RME), cockpit intercom
Instrumentation
- Human motion capture system (Vicon)
- Physiological measurement sensors (heart rate monitor, etc.)
- Multi-source audio-video recording system

Funding Sources

The platform is part of the State-Region Planning Contract (CPER) RITMEA, co-financed by the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), by the State and the Hauts-de-France Region.