AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSAL WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT DEVICE FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

A wheelchair securement system for a vehicle is provided, comprising a latch configured to grasp an axle of a wheelchair, actuators operatively coupled to the latch; and a controller configured to generate control signals that control movement of the actuators to place the latch in an operative position before the wheelchair enters the vehicle, the operative position comprising a location where the axle of the wheelchair can be grasped securely. Further, A method for securing a wheelchair in a vehicle is provided, the method comprising receiving wheelchair settings of a wheelchair to be secured in a vehicle, generating control signals according to the wheelchair settings, and communicating the control signals to an actuator of a wheelchair restraint, wherein the actuator moves the wheelchair restraint to secure the wheelchair according to the control signals.