Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to develop the adaptive device for severe physical disabilities using smart device in the driving simulator and its performance evaluation. Development of appropriate driving adaptive device for the people with serious physical limitation could contribute to maintain their community mobility. Background: There is lack of adaptive driving devices for the people with disabilities in Korea. However, if smart device systems like iPod and iPhone are used for driving a car, the people with serious physical limitations can improve their community mobility. Method: Both gyroscope and accelerometer from iPod were used to measure the tilted angle of the smart device for driving. Customized Labview program was also used to control three axis motors for steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals. Thirteen subjects were involved in the experiment for performance evaluation of smart device in simulator. Five subjects had driver licenses. Another four subjects did not have driver licenses. Others were people with disabilities. Results: Average driving score of the normal group with driver license in the simulator increased 46.6% compared with the normal group without driver license and increased 30.4% compared with the disabled group(p<0.01). There was no significant difference in the average driving score between normal group without driver license and disabled group(p>0.05). Conclusion: The normal group with driver license showed significantly higher driving score than other groups. The normal group without driver license and disabled group could improve their driving skills with training in simulator. Application: If follow-up studies would be continued and applied in adapted vehicle for on road environment, many people with more severe disabilities could drive and improve the quality of life.