Table of contents
THE CUSTOMER
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Healthcare | United States & Canada https://luci.com |
LUCI is the first-ever smart power wheelchair platform designed to reimagine mobility. With LUCI’s smart internet of medical things (IoMT) devices, riders gain independence and real-world technology inclusion. LUCI is an accessory for power wheelchairs designed to give riders a better, safer, and smarter experience. It is an attachable hardware/software product – the first of its kind – which uses cloud and sensor-fusion technologies for collision avoidance, drop-off and tip protection, and more. Offering new opportunities for innovation, research, and solutions, LUCI is human-engineered. “We value the subtle but precious focus that keeps the person at the center of our technology. Autonomy is not our goal – independence is.”
![]() prevented potential injuries per user per day |
![]() effective collision avoidance and drop-off protection |
LUCI’s mission is to provide stability, security, and connectivity for power wheelchair riders — requiring secure and robust software infrastructure to move innovation forward.
The Challenge
Four keys to drive wheelchair innovation
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Ensure user safety by seamlessly deploying new features and updates |
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Deploy real-time product alerts to users and caregivers |
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Accelerate agility and innovation by developing new software based on user feedback |
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Maintain security and regulatory compliance with FDA 501(k) as a Class 1 medical device |
Accelerate mobility through continuous innovation
LUCI offers an IoMT system for power wheelchairs to keep users safe. A smart frame that mounts to power wheelchairs with an embedded computer, LUCI enhances mobility safety by incorporating stereo vision cameras and radar and ultrasonic sensors.
Intel RealSense stereo vision cameras detect ground obstacles in the front and back of the wheelchair. Ultrasonic sensors and radars on each side of the chair and footplate assist with collision avoidance. Data is sent to an i.MX 8M processor, allowing LUCI to automatically intervene – slowing down or stopping the wheelchair – and prevent accidents or injuries. LUCI also includes caregiver alerts, such as when the battery is low, or the chair has tipped over.
LUCI is an internet-connected product. As such, the ability to push new security patches to the product was critical for the LUCI team as well as finding and addressing bug fixes. LUCI required the ability to update its products continuously. The processing algorithms needed to be finetuned to improve the product’s detection capabilities and eliminate false positives. User sensor feedback provided the LUCI engineering team with additional information on user needs. New features were constantly in development, such as a low-vision capability to ignore the user’s white cane. To support the continuous improvement of LUCI, the company required a mechanism to deploy updates to its products in the field.
Luci's OTA Software Update Solution Technical Requirements
Deploy software updates completely over the air | |
Provide a fail-safe design with rollback capabilities | |
Utilize the Yocto Embedded Linux device operating system | |
Support application updates for Intel RealSense vision cameras | |
Manage an IoMT device fleet at scale easily |
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Minimize the bandwidth costs of deploying updates over cellular networks |
The Solution
Implementing secure OTA software updates for medical devices
The capability to continuously and easily deploy updates to its product was a critical component for the Luci team. Luci wanted to determine its OTA infrastructure setup and process from the very beginning of product development and production to ensure a seamless customer experience and continuous innovation.
As a safety-sensitive IoT healthcare product, LUCI selected Mender for secure and robust OTA software updates. The robustness provided by Mender, such as its fail-safe design, ensured LUCI that it is the best solution for IoT devices in the healthcare industry. LUCI power wheelchairs were never bricked and continued to function properly even if a backup failed. Mender enables LUCI to regularly deploy updates to its products at scale, including new features, algorithm enhancements, and bug fixes. Through continuous innovation and updates, LUCI further improves the ability of its IoMT product to detect obstacles, ignore false positives, and address user requirements.
“We’re excited to keep pushing out solutions to our users that give them safe, independent mobility. Mender OTA is a crucial part of keeping users safe by enabling the release of new capabilities as well as bug fixes and security patches.”
- Kevin Lannen, Senior Embedded Systems Engineer
Mender seamlessly integrated with the LUCI technology ecosystem, including utilizing the Yocto Embedded Linux, Dunfell and Kirkstone, operating systems, support for Intel RealSense cameras, and integration with the Compulab NXP i.MX 8M MPU on system of module (SOM). Supporting full root filesystem updates, Mender facilitated a smooth migration from the Yocto Dunfell to the Kirkstone version.
The Mender Difference
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Superior flexibility over container-based alternatives that fits the requirements of IoMT devices | ![]() |
Eliminates the complexity of writing applications to fit in containers |
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Custom state scripts offered greater granularity to control updates | ![]() |
Support for deploying updates to microcontrollers on the edge of the system |
The Benefits
Accelerated innovation with robust security and safety
Optimized IoMT device updates. With Mender, the LUCI team can now update its solution completely over the air at scale, including new features, bug fixes, security patches, and full root filesystem updates. The LUCI team can innovate and deploy updates faster, more efficiently, and securely.
Enhanced product troubleshooting. With Mender, any developer can deploy to test chairs at any time, creating a known state for test chairs and facilitating easier bug hunting. Developers leverage Mender to routinely test new features, identify regressions, and continuously improve LUCI.
Partnering with Mender for secure and robust OTA software updates and remote troubleshooting allowed LUCI to focus on continuously innovating its power wheelchair solution to reimagine mobility.
LUCI's technology ecosystem:
Yocto Embedded Linux (Dunfell and Kirkstone) | |
Compulab NXP i.MX 8M MPU System of Module (SOM) | |
Intel RealSense AI platform | |
Bare Metal C microcontollers | |
mmWave radar |
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