Takeshi Kawashima
The Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, vol. 23, no. 4, pp.974-979, 2009

Abstract : In Japan, lightweight and easy-to-fold baby carriages are commonly used because a parent has to hold both the baby and its carriage while ascending or descending a flight of stairs. Since families commuting by private automobiles are increasing, there is a demand for carriages with high functionality. In this study, an intelligent baby carriage equipped with an advanced electro-hybrid power assist system that uses in-wheel-type motors is experimentally developed. This system assists the parent in lifting the carriage onto a sidewalk by detecting the edge of the sidewalk using an ultrasonic distance sensor. The carriage also has the following features: a tilt control system that keeps the basket in a horizontal position even on a slope, and a heartbeat simulator that provides comfort to the baby in the basket by simulating the heartbeat of the parent. The effectiveness of the proposed carriage is confirmed by performing experiments.

Keyword : Assist system; Comfort in riding; Heartbeat; Intelligent equipment; Motion control; Perambulator; Pram; Tilt control