Prototype

The system was built starting with a joystick that was screwed onto the handle using wood screws on the 4 holes in the 3D printed handle. Arduino 5 Volt cables connected to the control, 5 volt, and X or Y dimension were routed through the pathway in the handle. The ends of the cables were stripped and soldered to wires about a meter long, which were then soldered to 5 volt female cables that were plugged into the correct arduino connections. After the joystick was wired, the servo motors were connected to the pedals of the simulation wheel. First, the servo holders (3D-printed) were installed on the pedals. Both halves of the servo holders were connected while behind the pedals, and the two connector pieces were hammered into the slots on the two holders such that they were connected strongly. The servo motors, with servo arms installed, were positioned in the slots on the servo holder. Then, two pulley parts were installed, one for each pair of servo motors. The pulley was installed such that the arms of both servos fit into the groves on either side of the pulley. Duct tape was applied so the servos would not disconnect. Then, a string was wired through a screw hole on the pedal and knotted to the servos to pull the pedals back when the servos are activated.

The prototype allows leg-free use of the accelerator and brake thanks to the joystick controlling the servos which can pull back the pedals of a car to different intervals, just like how non-paraplegic people use their feet to control the amount they are pressing on each pedal. The handle with the joystick also allows for complete, undisturbed use of the steering wheel with one hand. Because this whole system can be controlled with only one hand, this leaves the other hand free to access any other control on the car.

Poster