Some Canadian researchers and robotics experts say they’ve developed cost-effective technology that would allow power wheelchairs – to drive themselves.

Toronto-based Cyberworks Robotics and the University of Toronto have applied the same principles that are at work in self-driving cars.

The group says using similar types of sensors on motorized wheelchairs allows the wheelchairs to dodge obstacles – and travel routes without assistance from the user.

The team says previous autonomous wheelchair designs could cost the user upwards of $30,000 – but the product they’ve developed will have a total cost of between $300 and $700.

The technology is still being developed but it’s hoped the product will be  commercially available in the near future.