  A smart wheelchair (SW) is a power wheelchair (PW) to which computers,
sensors, and assistive technology are attached. In the past decade, there has
been little effort to provide a systematic review of SW research. This paper
aims to provide a complete state-of-the-art overview of SW research trends. We
expect that the information gathered in this study will enhance awareness of
the status of contemporary PW as well as SW technology, and increase the
functional mobility of people who use PWs. We systematically present the
international SW research effort, starting with an introduction to power
wheelchairs and the communities they serve. Then we discuss in detail the SW
and associated technological innovations with an emphasis on the most
researched areas, generating the most interest for future research and
development. We conclude with our vision for the future of SW research and how
to best serve people with all types of disabilities.
