Design of a Wheelchair Control System Based on Hand Gesture Recognition Using ResNet18

Published online: 10/11/2025

Authors

Corressponding author's email:

dotv@hcmute.edu.vn

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54644/jte.2025.1813

Keywords:

Deep learning, Powered wheelchair, Hand gesture classification, ResNet18, Biomedical engineering

Abstract

The development of wheelchairs utilizing advanced technology at low costs is gaining attention to improve the quality of life for approximately 800 million people with disabilities worldwide. These individuals often face challenges in mobility, access to education, and social integration. Among various wheelchair control methods, hand gesture control is considered optimal due to its efficiency and health safety. However, in Vietnam, research in this field remains limited. This project focuses on designing a smart wheelchair system using computer vision to recognize hand gestures and convert them into control commands, combining hardware and software solutions. The study employs deep learning models such as ResNet-18 for image processing, integrated on a Jetson Nano device, and hardware optimization to achieve the highest efficiency. Although challenges remain, such as ensuring accuracy in diverse environments and maintaining stable control under real-world conditions, this research promises not only to enhance user independence but also to open new opportunities in biomedical engineering. It contributes to improving the quality of life and fostering social inclusion for people with disabilities.

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Author Biographies

Vi Do Tran, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, Vietnam

Vi Do Tran received the B.S. and M.S. degrees in Automation and control engineering from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2012 and 2015, respectively. He received the Ph.D in BioRobotics, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna di Pisa, Italy, in 2019. He is currently a Lecturer with the Department of Automatic Control, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE), Vietnam. His research interests are in the fields of automatic control, rehabilitation robotics, assistive technologies, human-robot interaction, and biomechanical simulation.

Email: dotv@hcmute.edu.vn. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9836-8118

Cong Trung Nguyen, Intel Products, Vietnam

Cong Trung Nguyen received the Engineer degree in Automation and control Engineering from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in 2022. He is currently working at Intel Products VietNam, position is Test Module Engineer. His research interests include automatic control systems, computer vision, and assistive technologies, with a focus on integrating intelligent algorithms and perception systems for real-world automation and human-assistive applications.

Email: ncongtrung29@gmail.com. ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4956-0814.

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Published

10-11-2025

How to Cite

Tran, V. D., & Nguyen, C. T. (2025). Design of a Wheelchair Control System Based on Hand Gesture Recognition Using ResNet18: Published online: 10/11/2025. Journal of Technical Education Science. https://doi.org/10.54644/jte.2025.1813

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