Home Automation for Wheelchair Users: 5 Gadgets to Help Take Back Control of Your Home

Not too long ago, home automations and helpful robots were the stuff of science fiction. The idea of an automated assistant cleaning or answering the door for you sounds fanciful, but these ‘smart devices’ have made their way into homes across the country, and for people with disabilities, can offer a multitude of options to help you maintain your independence. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a tech expert to get started with home automation, enabling wheelchair users to make more of your home, and spend more time doing the things you enjoy, by delegating chores and everyday tasks to a digital assistant.

Home Automation Ecosystems

One thing to consider when introducing automated devices into your home is which ‘ecosystem’ to choose. Sounds complicated, but worry not: the main options are provided by Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple Homekit. The ecosystem is the invisible string that connects and controls these smart devices – usually via an app on your phone – meaning you’ll need to make sure the devices you choose are all compatible with the same ecosystem should you want them to work together, for example to connect a voice-activated speaker to your bedroom lights.

With that said, here are our top 5 ideas for smart devices to automate your home – plus a bonus tip at the end:

1. Google Nest Audio Speakers

Google’s smart home speakers come complete with Google Assistant built in – a smart helper that you can activate using your voice. Music can play a key role in enhancing mental health and wellbeing, so whatever your preferences – from classic rock to soul, your favourite tunes are just an “OK Google” away. Smart web features such as local weather and news updates are also quickly activated by asking, enabling you to plan  accessible days out more efficiently.

But music is just the tip of the iceberg: Nest Audio can be connected to a Google Home app – available free for most smartphones – to enable voice control of what Google claims to be over 50,000 possible smart devices, enabling you to activate tasks and programmable actions for a multitude of other gadgets around the home, all with your voice.

Acting as a ‘controller’ for a host of other smart devices, your choice of smart speaker will likely dictate which ecosystem you are buying in to, so consider options such as Amazon Echo and Apple Homepod, and what other devices they can work with, before taking the plunge.

PC Mag: Best Smart Speaker for Google Users

Prices from: £89.99
See also: Amazon Echo

2. Philips Hue Smart Bulbs

One such smart device that can integrate with a voice-controlled smart speaker is the Philips Hue, a smart lighting ecosystem that includes colour changing and dimmable bulb kits that can be controlled remotely, ideal if you struggle with fiddly light switches or dimmer knobs.

Match your ambient lighting to your mood, use sensors to activate lights based on movement, or set up recurring schedules to suit your day. Philips also offer a range of lighting effects, which could be combined with different colours for a more sensory effect in playrooms and bedrooms.

TechRadar’s Best Smart Lighting Systems

Prices from: Starter Kits from £94
See also: Govee Wi-Fi LED Bulb

3. Eufy X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Manhandling a vacuum by hand is a thing of the past, according to Eufy. If you find your floors difficult to maintain – especially in winter when wheelchair tyres might bring in water and mud from outside – a high-tech robot might be the solution. Forget the sci-fi droid you might imagine; these latest generation gadgets look like oversized hockey pucks, and whizz around your floor, figuring out where obstacles and furniture are, mapping out the areas that need cleaning.

With vacuum and mopping modes, this Eufy device covers carpet and hard floors, and comes with it’s own little charging station, where it can empty its own dust bag, refill itself with water, and wash and dry its own mops. According to The Independent, it needs next to no human input to work. Neat!

Independent’s Best Robot Vacuums 2025

Prices from: £799
See also: iRobot Roomba Combo J7+

4. Stihl iMOW 5 Robot Lawn Mower

Robot helpers aren’t just limited to indoors. The market for automatic lawnmowers has increased in popularity in recent years, with traditional manufacturers including Stihl, Honda and Husqvarna launching their own take on these turtle-shaped grass cutters.

Installation involves laying a thin wire around the areas you need maintained, then tweaking a few settings via a phone app, before the iMOW trundles off to keep the lawn clipped. Unlike a traditional mower, an automatic robot mows little and often, meaning the grass always looks freshly cut – and doesn’t collect any clippings, mulching the tiny grass cuttings back into the roots benefitting hydration and fertilisation.

The downside of this is that if children or dogs run on the grass frequently, you might find some clippings get dragged into the house – especially in the wet. Better order that robot vacuum at the same time…

Gardener’s World Best Robotic Lawn Mowers

Prices from: £1,729
See also: Flymo EasiLife Go 500

5. Nest Doorbell (Battery)

One frustration we often hear from wheelchair users is how long it can take to answer the door – especially if a courier is delivering a package and you’re at the other end of the house. Cue the annoying process of trying to arrange a redelivery – not ideal. A smart doorbell can make it easy to manage deliveries and welcome visitors, without keeping them waiting. You can even set up motion alerts to keep an eye on your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle outside. Handily, the battery-powered version doesn’t require wiring into main electricity, making it easy to fit, even for DIY novices.

Nest Doorbells only work within the Google Home ecosystem – so to take advantage of voice-activated features you’ll need a smart speaker with Google Assistant built in, like our top smart speaker the Google Nest Audio. If you’d prefer something that works with Amazon Alexa or Apple Homekit devices, check out similar offerings such as the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus.

Toms Guide: Best Video Doorbell

Prices from: £139.95
See also: Ring Battery Doorbell Plus

Bonus Tip: Tobii Dynavox Eye-Tracking Tablets

Having a network of home automations is a great way to increase your independence at home – but voice activation isn’t always accessible to all. If you’re non-verbal, or have speech or language difficulties, Tobii Dynavox’s range of eye-tracking tablet devices can integrate Google Assistant – enabling access to connected devices using eye gaze detection, and giving you control of your environment, such as lights and music.

Tobii Dynavox with Google Assistant

Have you tried any of these home automations, or any other smart devices that our community would benefit from? Leave your comments below!