{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,29]],"date-time":"2026-05-29T21:59:33Z","timestamp":1780091973583,"version":"3.54.0"},"reference-count":39,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"10","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,12]],"date-time":"2025-05-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1747008000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Research and Innovation Institute of Excellence, Walailak University","award":["WU66242"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["WU66242"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sensors"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Human\u2013machine interface (HMI) systems are increasingly utilized to develop assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities and older adults. This study proposes two HMI systems using piezoelectric sensors to detect facial muscle activations from eye and tongue movements, and accelerometers to monitor head movements. This system enables hands-free wheelchair control for those with physical disabilities and speech impairments. A prototype wearable sensing device was also designed and implemented. Four commands can be generated using each sensor to steer the wheelchair. We conducted tests in offline and real-time scenarios to assess efficiency and usability among older volunteers. The head\u2013machine interface achieved greater efficiency than the face\u2013machine interface. The simulated wheelchair control tests showed that the head\u2013machine interface typically required twice the time of joystick control, whereas the face\u2013machine interface took approximately four times longer. Participants noted that the head-mounted wearable device was flexible and comfortable. Both modalities can be used for wheelchair control, especially the head\u2013machine interface for patients retaining head movement. In severe cases, the face\u2013machine interface can be used. Moreover, hybrid control can be employed to satisfy specific requirements. Compared to current commercial devices, the proposed HMIs provide lower costs, easier fabrication, and greater adaptability for real-world applications. We will further verify and improve the proposed devices for controlling a powered wheelchair, ensuring practical usability for people with paralysis and speech impairments.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/s25103037","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,12]],"date-time":"2025-05-12T09:13:38Z","timestamp":1747041218000},"page":"3037","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Hands-Free Human\u2013Machine Interfaces Using Piezoelectric Sensors and Accelerometers for Simulated Wheelchair Control in Older Adults and People with Physical Disabilities"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"25","author":[{"given":"Charoenporn","family":"Bouyam","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Informatics, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9838-6225","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nannaphat","family":"Siribunyaphat","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Informatics, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand"},{"name":"Informatics Innovative Center of Excellence, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dollaporn","family":"Anopas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Biodesign Innovation Center, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8623-4566","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"May","family":"Thu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Engineering, Cambodia University of Technology and Science, Phnom Penh 121003, Cambodia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6994-9682","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Yunyong","family":"Punsawad","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Informatics, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand"},{"name":"Informatics Innovative Center of Excellence, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2022). 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