Software Architecture
Development: The Next-Generation Public Charging Infrastructure and Cyber-Information Network for Enhanced Inclusion and Independent Living of Power Mobility Device Users
Description
This project pilots a public charging infrastructure and cyber-information system to support the outdoor use of power mobility devices (PMDs), to improve the mobility and inclusion of their owners. People with disabilities use PMDs such as power wheelchairs and electric scooters to improve their mobility, but users and caregivers consistently report the energy constraints of batteries as one of the main reasons for limited away-from-home mobility. The project objectives are to: (1) design, develop, and test a pilot public physical charging network accessible for PMD charging; (2) make the charging stations real-time Internet of Things (IoT)-connected through Google Maps services; (3) build smart energy monitoring hardware to track the PMD energy consumption; (4) develop a cloud-based, energy consumption prediction algorithm to enable route planning;( 5) write a Best Practice Protocol to enable the charging network scaling up; and (6) increase the awareness of the general population regarding the needs of people with disabilities and aging adults. The outcomes are: (1) the PMD users will be able to successfully use public charging stations and charging apps; (2) increase the overall distance traveled by PMD users by 10%; (3) increase the average participation of outdoor miles in total traveled distance; and (4) the life-time of PMD batteries will increase. Project outputs include: (1) a pilot charging infrastructure in Chapel Hill, (2) a charging app for managing the charging process, (3) cloud-located AI-based software for PMD energy consumption estimation, and (4) Best Practice Protocol to guide charging network expansion.
RENCI's Role
Ashok Krishnamurthy is an investigator on this project, working with undergraduate student Claire Liang and RENCI staff Matt Watson to develop a web application to allow wheelchair users to look at wheelchair charging stations and plan routes that preserve battery life and include charging stations on the route if needed to enable the users to reach their desired destination.
