Voice Controlled Wheelchair

Gavali Sairaj1, Shivane Abhishek2, Walujkar Samarth3, Gavali Shreyas4, Yele Prathmesh5
Abstract: The Voice Controlled Wheelchair helps people with integrating obstacle detection, and exploring cloud-based
physical disabilities move around. They can tell the wheelchair what monitoring solutions.
to do using voice commands, like "go forward" or "turn left." This
makes it easier for them to move around without needing help.
The goal of this research is to create an affordable, reliable, and
The wheelchair uses an Arduino Uno, Bluetooth, and motors to user-friendly voice-controlled wheelchair system, making
move. It's powered by a battery and can be controlled using a assistive technology more accessible to those who need it.
smartphone app. This project helps people with disabilities have
more freedom and independence. III. EXISTED SYSTEMS
Keywords: Voice Controlled Wheelchair, Assistive mobility,
Voice commands. Voice-controlled wheelchair systems have improved over time,
giving people with physical disabilities more independence.
I. INTRODUCTION Early systems used basic speech recognition for simple
commands, but had limitations like poor accuracy in noisy areas
People with physical disabilities often have trouble moving and inflexible command interpretation.
around, which can affect their independence. Traditional
wheelchairs require manual control, which can be difficult for Recent advancements, especially in natural language processing
those with severe disabilities. (NLP), have made these systems more user-friendly. Research
has shown that NLP allows users to give more complex
The Voice Controlled Wheelchair is a new technology that commands, increasing control flexibility.
allows users to control their wheelchair with voice commands.
This system gives people with disabilities more freedom and Affordable platforms like Arduino, combined with Bluetooth
independence. Users can simply speak commands like "move technology, enable wireless communication between the user's
forward" or "turn left" to navigate their environment. voice recognition module and the wheelchair's control unit.
Motor control systems and power management techniques also
The system works by using a smartphone app to recognize voice improve wheelchair movement and energy efficiency.
commands, which are then sent to the wheelchair's tiny
computer (Arduino Uno). This computer controls the motors to However, existing systems still face challenges like poor
move the wheelchair. The technology is affordable, accessible, accuracy in noisy areas, difficulty distinguishing between
and easy to use. multiple users' voices, and safety concerns. There is also a need
for integrated safety features like obstacle detection and
The Voice Controlled Wheelchair has the potential to greatly emergency stop mechanisms to ensure safe operation.
improve the lives of people with disabilities. Future research
can focus on making the system even better, such as improving IV. PROPOSED SYSTEM
voice recognition and motor control. This technology can also
be used to develop other assistive devices, further empowering
The Voice Controlled Wheelchair helps people with physical
individuals with disabilities.
disabilities move around independently. Users can control the
wheelchair with simple voice commands like "move forward" or
II. LITERATURE SURVEY "turn left" through a smartphone app.

Assistive mobility technologies, like voice-controlled The system uses a small computer (Arduino Uno), Bluetooth, and
wheelchairs, have greatly improved the lives of people with four motors to move the wheelchair. A battery powers the system,
severe physical disabilities. Traditional powered wheelchairs and a special converter ensures the electronics receive the right
can be hard to use for those with limited hand movement. voltage.
Voice-controlled systems offer a hands-free solution, making it
easier for users to move around.
When a user gives a voice command, the app sends the signal to
the Arduino, which controls the motors to move the wheelchair.
Recent studies have shown significant progress in voice- This technology is affordable and accessible, making mobility
controlled wheelchairs. Early systems had limitations, but easier for people with disabilities.
newer technologies using natural language processing have
improved command recognition. Affordable platforms like
However, the system has some limitations, such as potential
Arduino and Bluetooth Low Energy technology have made it
issues with voice recognition in noisy areas and limited Bluetooth
possible to develop customizable systems.
range. Future improvements could include more advanced voice
commands and alternative control methods like eye-tracking or
Despite these advances, there are still challenges to overcome, gesture recognition
such as navigating noisy environments and ensuring user safety.
Researchers are working on improving speech recognition,
 correct voltage and current to operate smoothly. Its ability to
independently control each motor's rotation and speed makes it
ideal for controlling a wheelchair's movement, allowing for
precise and efficient navigation.

Fig. L298N Motor Driver

C. HC-05 Bluetooth Module

The HC-05 Bluetooth Module is a low-cost device that enables

wireless communication between the Arduino Uno and
Bluetooth-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It uses a
serial communication protocol to exchange data easily. In this
project, the HC-05 receives voice commands from a smartphone
app and sends them to the Arduino. When a user gives a voice
command, like "move forward" or "turn left," the app converts it
V. HARDWARE USED to text and sends it to the HC-05 via Bluetooth. The module then
forwards the command to the Arduino, which controls the motors
A. Arduino Uno accordingly. This setup makes the wheelchair hands-free,
allowing users to control their movement with simple voice
The Arduino Uno is a small computer board that acts as the commands.
brain of the wheelchair system. It receives input from the
Bluetooth module, which gets voice commands from a
smartphone. The Arduino then sends signals to the motor
driver, which controls the wheelchair's movement. It also
manages the power supply from the battery and ensures the
system works smoothly. Essentially, the Arduino is the
decision-making unit that listens for voice commands, controls
the motor speed and direction, and enables smooth movement Fig. HC-05 Bluetooth Module
of the wheelchair.

D. Buck Converter

The buck converter is a crucial component that helps regulate the

power supply in the wheelchair. It takes the 12V input from the
battery and steps it down to 5V, which is the required voltage for
the Arduino Uno and Bluetooth module. This efficient conversion
process prevents excessive heat generation, protecting the
sensitive electronics from damage. By providing a stable 5V
supply, the buck converter ensures the safe operation of the
Fig. Arduino UNO Arduino and Bluetooth module, while also maximizing the
system's overall efficiency and minimizing power loss.

B. L298N Motor Driver

The L298N Motor Driver is a crucial component that controls

the movement of two motors at the same time. It allows the
motors to rotate in both directions, which is necessary for
actions like turning or reversing. The Arduino Uno
communicates with the L298N to control the motor's direction Fig.Buck Converter
and speed. The motor driver ensures the motors receive the
E. DC Motor B. Flowchart

START
The wheelchair has four electric motors, two on each side, that
use direct current (DC) to rotate continuously. These motors
work together to move the wheelchair forward, backward, and POWER ON THE SYSTEM
turn. INITIALIZE BLUETOOTH
AND DRIVER
When a user gives a voice command, like "move forward", the
Arduino Uno sends a command to the motor driver (L298N).
The motor driver then controls the DC motors, making them
LISTEN FOR COMMAND
rotate. The rotating motors move the wheelchair in the desired VIA BLUETOOTH
direction. The motor driver also adjusts the motor speed using
special signals (PWM) based on the Arduino's commands.
RECEIVE AND PROCESS
VOICE COMMAND

CONTROL MOTORS
BASED ON COMMAND

REPEAT FOR NEXT VOICE

COMMAND
Fig. Dc Motor

END
VI. SYSTEM METHODOLOGY

A. Algorithm VII. ADVANTAGES

1. Power on the system and initialize Bluetooth (HC-05) and 1. Easy navigation using simple voice commands for people with
motor driver (L298N).
limited mobility.
2. Listen for a voice command via Bluetooth from the 2. Independence and freedom from physical effort through voice
smartphone. recognition technology.
3. A hands-free and intuitive solution that promotes autonomy for
3. Receive and process the command using Arduino. individuals with disabilities.
4. Seamless and wireless control of wheelchair movement using
4. Control the motors based on the processed command Bluetooth connectivity and voice commands.
(forward, backward, left, right, or stop).

5. Repeat the process for subsequent commands.

6. Stop the system when required. VIII. DIS-ADVANTAGES

1. Voice recognition may not work well in noisy areas or for

users with speech difficulties.
2. Limited voice commands restrict movement to basic actions
like moving forward, backward, and turning.
3. Bluetooth connectivity can be disrupted, affecting
communication over distance.
4. The battery may run out quickly, requiring frequent recharging
for extended use.

IX. APPLICATIONS

1. Helping people with physical disabilities move around

independently.
2. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers to aid patients.
3. Assisting older adults with limited hand mobility.
4. Home use for easy navigation around the house.

X. CONCLUSION

The Voice-Controlled Wheelchair is a big step forward in

helping people with physical disabilities. It lets users move
around easily and independently using just their voice. This
technology is affordable and accessible, making life better for
people with mobility issues.

In the future, adding artificial intelligence, autonomous

navigation, and smart home features could make the wheelchair
even more helpful and user-friendly. Overall, this system is a
promising solution for improving mobility, independence, and
accessibility for people with disabilities.

REFERENCES

1. Garris, R., & White, M. (2017). Assistive technologies for mobility and
independence. 2nd ed. Springer.
2. Smith, J., & Brown, L. (2019). Voice-controlled assistive technologies
in modern mobility devices. Journal of Assistive Technology, 14(3), 215-
224.
3. Lee, C., & Zhang, P. (2020). Development of a voice-controlled
wheelchair system for the physically disabled. International Conference
on Robotics and Automation, Paris, France, May 2020. IEEE, 98-103.
4. Patel, A., & Kumar, S. (2018). Review on voice-controlled wheelchairs
for disabled individuals. International Journal of Robotics and
Automation, 33(2), 119-125.
5. Miller, D., & Wilson, A. (2021). Integrating speech recognition systems
in assistive technologies for enhanced independence. Journal of
Assistive Devices and Rehabilitation, 22(4), 45-52.