I rode in a self-driving powered wheelchair that avoids obstacles and people

At IFA 2026, the Strutt ev1c personal mobility vehicle showcased a blend of robot vacuum and autonomous driving technology designed for home use. The wheelchair utilizes LiDAR and camera systems to map indoor environments, allowing users to navigate between predefined waypoints via a touchscreen or mobile app. Beyond its autonomous capabilities, the device features a 'Co-Pilot' mode that provides real-time object avoidance, preventing collisions even when under manual control. The system can distinguish between static furniture and moving entities like pets or people, ensuring safe operation. Additionally, the chair offers a 'Follow me' mode and a summoning feature, enabling it to travel to the user on command. While some features like the follow mode remain in testing, the core self-driving functionality demonstrated impressive precision in navigating narrow spaces and avoiding obstacles, marking a significant advancement in personal mobility technology.