This is the 5th blog in our series about MyPermobil and Fleet Management. See part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4.
The new MyPermobil Voice Assistant feature provides the opportunity for hands-free power wheelchair insights. After linking the MyPermobil app with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, use your voice to access important wheelchair information including your battery charge status, distance traveled, and individual seat function usage. The Voice Assistant feature is available on Permobil power wheelchairs with a ConnectMe1 unit, Firmware v11 or higher or a ConnectMe2 unit (M & F-series Corpus wheelchairs purchased since December 2019).
Use at home or when you’re on the go with any Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant enabled device or smartphone app. Once MyPermobil is linked with Alexa or Google Assistant, you can ask the MyPermobil Voice Assistant questions about your power wheelchair including:
- What is the current battery charge?
- When did I last charge?
- What is my estimated range? (indoors/outdoors)
- How far can I drive?
- How many repositions have I done today?
- What are my usage records? (e.g., driving, seat repositions)
- What’s my serial number?
Is it difficult to directly access apps on your smartphone? Would you like to ask about the charge status of your wheelchair to assure it was plugged in? Consider trying the MyPermobil Voice Assistant today! Keep in mind, Permobil does not have a direct impact on how well Google and Alexa understand each person, but the technology is getting more inclusive every day! Is voice control not for you? Not to worry. You can also access your phone and the MyPermobil app with the built in Bluetooth included in the Permobil Joystick Module, Color Joystick Module, or OMNI2. And of course, through direct access by touching your smartphone screen.
Link the MyPermobil app to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and get started today. Click here for the Voice Assistant quick set-up guide. And be sure to check out our latest MyPermobil video demonstrating Voice Assistant. Join us next time as we explore one individual’s experience with using the MyPermobil app.
Eleni H. Lema, MOT, OTR/L, ATP/SMS
Eleni Halkiotis Lema, MOT, OTR/L, ATP/SMS is a Regional Clinical Education Manager for Permobil supporting the New York City and mid-Atlantic areas, South Florida, and Latin America. Eleni joined Permobil in 2019 and prior to this worked in wheelchair clinics in New York City including Independence Care System and Bellevue Hospital. Eleni has presented professionally in the USA and internationally at conferences such as the International Seating Symposium, European Seating Symposium, and World Federation of OT Congress. Eleni is an ongoing guest lecturer at New York University and was elected to Chair of the RESNA International Special Interest Group (SIG) for the 2020-2022 term.