Video: Robotic Wheelchair Can Be Set to Automatically Follow A Human

Japanese researchers, never at a loss for concepts mashing up domestic and medical care with the best in robotics, has developed a robotic wheelchair that automatically follows a human companion. Born of Saitama University's Human-Robot Interaction Center, the wheelchair employs a distance sensor that tracks the position of a companion person, keeping the wheelchair always at the person's left. It also tracks the position of the companion's shoulders, anticipating where that person is moving next. Even if the companion stand in place and simply rotates, the chair will circle around to remain abreast of the companion. Unless, that is, the corridor narrows or other foot traffic is approaching or there is an obstacle or a narrow corridor.