IR Remote Controlled Wheel Chair for Disabled Person

In this project, I have designed a DIY IR Remote-Controlled Wheelchair aimed at assisting disabled individuals or patients with limited mobility. Using a simple IR remote, the wheelchair can be operated wirelessly, making movement easy and effortless without requiring physical assistance.

📦 Project Overview

This compact and lightweight model is ideal for indoor use or prototyping. The body is built using laser-cut parts, assembled into a functional wheelchair frame. It is powered by DC motors and controlled via an infrared remote, which sends directional commands to the onboard receiver. With minimal components and a straightforward build, this project is perfect for beginners and makers interested in assistive technology.

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Components Required

1. Wheelchair chassis (DIY or laser-cut frame) – 1
2. BO motors (straight type) – 2
3. Wheels (compatible with BO motors) – 2
4. Castor wheel (for front support) – 1
5. Arduino Nano (main controller) – 1
6. TSOP IR receiver (for remote signal) – 1
7. IR remote control – 1
8. Custom control circuit (includes motor driver and power management) – 1
9. Wires and connectors – as required
10. Battery or power source – 1 (depending on your circuit design)

In this step, we will collect all the necessary mechanical components required to begin assembling the wheelchair structure. Before starting, make sure you have all the parts ready to avoid interruptions during the build process.

You will need the following mechanical items:

1. The wheelchair chassis (DIY or laser-cut)
2. 2 BO motors for driving the wheels
3. 2 wheels compatible with the motors
4. 1 castor wheel for front support and balance
5. Basic tools like a screwdriver and glue (if needed for fittings)

Once all the parts are gathered, place them on your workspace and get ready for the next step, where we’ll start assembling the base structure.

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In this step, we’ll begin assembling the wheelchair frame by attaching the base plate to the side panels. This forms the main structure that will support all electronic and mechanical components.

🪛 What to Do:

1. Place the base plate flat on your work surface.
2. Align the left and right side panels vertically along the sides of the base plate.
3. Use screws, nuts and bolts, or adhesive (depending on your design) to firmly attach the panels.
4. Make sure the angles are 90 degrees and everything is straight — this will help in stable motor and wheel alignment later.

Once assembled, you should have a sturdy rectangular frame that’s ready to hold the motors and wheels in the next steps.

In this step, we will attach the BO motors to the chassis, which will later drive the wheelchair.

🔧 What to Do:

1. Take the two BO motors and position them at the rear end of the chassis — one on the left and one on the right side.
2. Align the motor shafts so they face outward, ready to hold the wheels.
3. Secure the motors firmly to the side panels or base plate using screws, brackets, or hot glue, depending on your chassis design.
4. Make sure both motors are mounted at the same level and are tightly fixed to prevent wobbling during movement.

In this step, we’ll complete the main frame by connecting the top panel to the already assembled side panels.

🪛 What to Do:

1. Place the top panel over the chassis frame, aligning it properly with the side panels.
2. Make sure all the edges match and the panel sits flush on top of the structure.
3. Secure the top panel using screws, nuts and bolts, or adhesive, depending on your construction method.
4. Ensure the frame is rigid and well-balanced, as the top panel may also hold some electronics later.

Once the top panel is attached, your chassis will be fully enclosed and structurally complete — ready for mounting wheels and electronics in the following steps

In this step, we will first attach the extruder or motor mounting brackets to the BO motors for secure fitting, and then install the wheels.

🔧 What to Do:

1. Begin by taking the extruder/mounting brackets and aligning them with the BO motors.
2. Fix the extruder securely to each motor using small screws or bolts, ensuring that the motors are firmly held in place.
3. Once the extruders are attached, mount the motors with extruders onto the chassis if not already done.
4. Now take the wheels and push them gently onto the motor shafts.
5. Ensure the wheels are tightly fitted and rotate freely without any wobbling or resistance.

After completing this step, both motors should be properly secured, and the wheels should be aligned and ready for motion.

To balance the wheelchair and allow smooth turning, we will now install the mini castor wheel at the front bottom of the chassis.

🔧 What to Do:

1. Flip the chassis gently to access the bottom front area.
2. Position the castor wheel at the center of the front edge, ensuring it's aligned properly for smooth rotation.
3. Use screws or bolts to securely fasten the castor wheel to the base.
4. Make sure it spins and swivels freely in all directions — this is important for stability and maneuverability.

Once attached, the wheelchair should sit evenly on all three wheels and be easy to move in any direction.

Now that the mechanical assembly is complete, it’s time to start adding the electronics. In this step, we’ll place the custom-built PCB on the chassis.

⚙️ What to Do:

1. Take your custom-made PCB which includes the motor driver and connections for the Arduino and IR receiver.
2. Identify a suitable flat surface behind the wheelchair chassis — ideally above or near the rear wheels.
3. Use double-sided tape, hot glue, or screws (if mounting holes are available) to secure the PCB firmly to the chassis.
4. Make sure the PCB is placed in a way that keeps it safe from vibration, wire strain, and wheel movement.

Once mounted, the board should be easily accessible for wiring in the next steps.

With the PCB mounted, it’s time to power up the system. In this step, we will connect the motors to the circuit and place the battery inside the chassis.

🔧 What to Do:

1. Take the motor wires from both BO motors and connect them to the appropriate terminals or screw headers on your custom circuit board (usually to the motor driver output).
2. Double-check polarity (left and right motor direction) and swap wires if needed for correct movement.
3. Now, place the battery pack inside the chassis in a secure location — usually in the center or toward the rear for balance.
4. Connect the battery output wires to the power input section of your PCB.
5. Make sure all connections are tight and insulated to prevent short circuits.

Once everything is connected, you’re almost ready to test the system. The electronics are now powered and wired to drive the motors.

This is the moment of truth! With all the components connected and secured, it’s time to power on the system and test your wheelchair using the IR remote control.

🔋 What to Do:

1. Switch on the power supply or connect the battery to activate the system.
2. Point your IR remote towards the TSOP IR receiver and press directional buttons (forward, backward, left, right).
3. Observe the wheelchair’s response. It should move according to the commands sent from the remote.
4. If the directions are reversed, you may need to swap motor wires or adjust your code logic.

Congratulations! If everything works as expected, your DIY IR Remote-Controlled Wheelchair is now fully functional and ready to use.