Wheels of Fate

---

This prototype project uses custom hardware to turn a wheelchair into a game controller. By strapping gyroscopes onto a DIY Wheelchair, our team has created a game that can be played entirely with your wheels! One of the benefits of a custom hardware solution like this over other methods like using VR trackers is that this is orders of magnitude cheaper, and does not require additional devices like SteamVR Base stations.

The goal is to demonstrate how custom hardware can be used to make games that doctors can use to engage their patients in a variety of ways. Our game utilizes several mechanics that cover a range of tools including data collection, biometric visualization,  and inputs requiring repeated actions and mechanical skill. Our sensors are able to collect data about the minimum and maximum range of motion for your legs, your strength in either arm, how much distance your able to cover in your chair, and it also stores that data in an online spreadsheet so that doctors can compare data over time to improve patient outcomes.

Our game could be used for multiple different therapy applications.

1. By gamifying the wheelchair, we've created a way that people can engage in using one in a positive manner. Some people avoid using their chair because sitting in it makes them feel insecure or depressed. By turning the source of those feelings into something they can have fun with, it can change patient perspectives and encourage them to be more confident in their chair.

2. Allows for wheelchair training in different contexts, like practicing smooth consistent motions or precise and agile ones, or even endurance and extended use sessions.

3. Allows for patients to perform physical therapy in a fun way, and tracks progress so patients and doctors can see improvements over time in things like dexterity and leg mobility.

For the jam we took on challenges #2 and #4: "Gamifying Patient Health goals" and "Using gaming to improve the Rehab Experience"

Our team include Joseph Demartini and Cole Montrose as our programmers and Noa Baggs as the artist and wheelchair controller construction specialist.

Team Photo

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1cUiDQqSx0k_Y7tu9H-OJtyi0Ef2x1XU4_DE2ZqEN...