Several studies have shown that both children and adults benefit substantially from access to a means of independent mobility. While the needs of many individuals with disabilities can be satisfied with traditional manual or powered wheelchairs, a segment of the disabled community finds it difficult or impossible to use wheelchairs independently. To accommodate this population, researchers have used technologies originally developed for mobile robots to create "smart wheelchairs." Smart

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... irs have been the subject of research since the early 1980s and have been developed on four continents. This article presents a summary of the current state of the art and directions for future research. Abbreviations: ADL = activities of daily living, CALL = Communication Aids for Language and Learning, EOG = electrooculographic, IR = infrared, LRF = laser range finder, MAid = Mobility Aid for elderly and disabled people, NLPR = National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, OMNI = Office wheelchair with high Maneuverability and Navigational Intelligence, SPAM = Smart Power Assistance Module, SWCS = Smart Wheelchair Component System, VAHM = Véhicule Autonome pour Handicapé Moteur.