Shared Control

An assistive technology design approach in which control over a system is dynamically distributed between a user with a disability and an assistant (human or automated), allowing each party to manage the aspects best suited to their abilities. Unlike fully independent or fully dependent control, shared control enables users to participate meaningfully in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible, while maintaining safety through collaborative oversight. The distribution of control can shift in real time based on user fatigue, environmental conditions, or confidence level. Shared control has been applied in adaptive sports equipment, power-assisted wheelchairs, and navigation systems.