The first wheelchair made by RMUTT and MSMC in Thailand is proudly introduced.

The first wheelchair made by RMUTT and MSMC in Thailand is proudly introduced.

Dr.Dejarit Maneethum,the lecturer at the faculty of Technical Education, Rajamangala University of Technology, revealed the research result of automatic folding wheelchair that “RMUTT has cooperated with Assistant Professor, Doctor Niyom La-orpaksin ,the director  of Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center (MSMC), the faculty of Medicine at Srinakharinwiroj University , Ongkarak district, Nakhon Nayok Province in order to develop the 2nd foldable wheelchair which is controlled by micro controller.

It was developed from the 1st wheelchair.  The 1st wheelchair is controlled by micro controller PIC16F877 via Keypad. It is driven by two-rear wheels and front wheels are used as direction controller. However, there are many disadvantages occurring such as the expensive price, around ฿ 40,000, heavy and unfoldability, and it cannot be used when the electric power is off. Moreover, direction control via Keypad is not comfortable enough.”

He continued said that “the 2nd wheelchair controlled by micro controller PIC16F877 via Joystick. All directions, moving forward or backward and turning right and left side, are controlled by rear wheels. It is removable and foldable when users need to travel in long distance. When electric power is off, it is still be shoved manually. Its price is only at ฿25,000 comparing to the wheelchair which controlled by electric power is priced at ฿160,000 at per wheelchair. Therefore, the above mentioned wheelchair is accounted as the cheapest price and it is now the most efficient in the current market.”

Translated by Suraporn Onputtha