Chairable Technology

Input devices and interactive technologies designed to integrate with the form of a wheelchair, analogous to how wearable technology fits with an individual's clothing. Chairable technology recognises that power wheelchair users spend most of their waking hours in their chairs and that the wheelchair itself is the most consistently accessible platform for interaction. Rather than requiring users to reach for, hold, or position external devices, chairable input surfaces are embedded into wheelchair components such as armrests, headrests, or footrests, making them always available without drawing unwanted attention. Examples include pressure-sensitive armrest pads that support touch and gesture input, replacing or augmenting traditional switch-based controls. The term was coined by researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.