The CREW Intelligent Wheelchair Control System is an award-winning, power-assisted technology developed by Lingnan University’s LEI team to assist caregivers, particularly senior ones. It uses pressure-sensitive handles to detect steering, allowing for intuitive forward movement and braking without requiring strenuous physical effort, especially on slopes.

Key Features and Benefits 

•    Pressure-Sensitive Handles: The system uses integrated force-sensing handles to interpret the caregiver's intent, providing assisted power based on pushing or dragging force. 

•    Slope Assistance & Safety: Includes a "hill hold" function to prevent reversing on hills and automatic regenerative braking that converts kinetic energy to recharge the batteries. 

•    Ease of Use: Designed to make wheelchairs easier to push and stop, reducing physical strain on carers. 

•    Compatible Design: It can be added to standard manual wheelchairs. 

Recognition and Future Goals 

The CREW system won a top 10 technological innovation award at the 2025 Shenzhen Health & Elderly Care Robotics Competition and a Special Award at the 2018 iCAN (mentioned in context of a similar CityU project). 

The team is actively working with manufacturers to introduce the system through a B2B model.