For power wheelchair users who find the joystick controller difficult to use there are various other ways to control and drive a wheelchair. Most of these alternatives are based around switches. Here is an interesting alternative to driving a powered wheelchair which I have recently got on loan.
The TouchDrive 2 is an alternative wheelchair controller from SwitchIt. SwitchIt produce a range of proportional and non-proportional wheelchair controllers. This one uses touchscreen technology to drive a power wheelchair. It can be set-up on power wheelchairs that have P&G R-Net, Q-Logic/ Curtis and Dynamic DX electronics systems, which accounts for many power wheelchairs.
As its due back soon, I made a quick video to demonstrate it.
For more alternative ways to control a power wheelchair, see the following post http://www.atandme.com/?p=950
This device will be best seller among wheelchair users in a next few years. That is for sure.
Hi Mark, yes it’s a nice alternative to the joystick when a joystick is difficult to manage. I still think that the standard joystick however will still be a preferred option for most power wheelchair users. Maybe time will prove me wrong?
the joystick was an early easy answer by people who dont use power wheelchairs. I would never ask for or prefer a joystick. They wear out easily and are too expensive to replace. The touch pad will hopefully replace joysticks and last longer.
Hi Lyn, it’s a case of user preference whether a user will use a joystick or a touchpad, although cost may also be a factor. From trying the both inputs I feel the joystick feels a bit more natural. In terms of replacement, the touchpad currently is a lot more expensive (From $3845 Sunrise Medical now supply this product) compared to a few hundred for a joystick.
Something like that would be perfect for me but I can’t see it marketed anywhere in 2026. I’m unable to use a joystick, foot control or head control due to various painful things. I’m currently using a robooter E40 with app control, which works for me – it’s light touch and can have it on my knee with arms at a better position. However there are only 3 (soon to be 4) powerchairs with app control and they are all too wide for indoors. Touchpad control, whether wired, or bluetooth like mine, should be available for ALL powerchairs IMO. As an alternative controller. At least for indoors. Not sure how safe it would be for outdoors, but it might be.
Do you have any links to the product please? I couldn’t find it anywhere.