Alber e-motion DuoDrive - Bluetooth Connectivity and Security; Connection Prerequisite; Interruption and Recovery; Interference and Security Measures

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The prerequisite for the e-motion's continuous drive assistance is an active Bluetooth connection between the control unit
and the e-motion wheels. If this Bluetooth connection is interrupted, the two e-motion wheels automatically switch to free-
wheeling mode. Power assistance using the push rims remains available. The wheelchair user can thus react to emergency
situations at any time by using the push rims to operate the system like a manual wheelchair.
If the Bluetooth connection was interrupted, it must be re-established manually (see Chapter 4).
The entirety of the technologies used ensures an appropriate Quality of Service (QoS) for the Bluetooth connection. The con-
nection to the app runs via the same Bluetooth module. The Bluetooth connection is highly secure due to the latest up-to-
date encryption and by taking SweynTooth vulnerabilities into account.
There can be various reasons for an interruption of the Bluetooth connection.
The e-motion has successfully passed the EMC test according to ISO 7176-21, including the active Bluetooth connection,
and the Wireless Coexistence test according to ANSI C63.27:2017. Therefore, interruptions at home or in an office environ-
ment are highly unlikely. However, every potential source of strong interference cannot be anticipated.
Nonetheless, it is very unlikely that the Bluetooth connection can be interrupted by other sources of interference such as
anti-theft alarm systems.
Malicious hacker attacks cannot be completely ruled out in the medical device market. An attacker can try to crash the
device, for example by triggering hard errors through the SweynTooth vulnerability, leading to a denial-of-service condition.
If your e-motion’s Bluetooth connection has been interrupted by an attack, the system stops the driving assistance to get
into the safe state of the system. In each case, the connection is interrupted; you can react at any time to avoid dangerous
situations by manoeuvring the system like a manual wheelchair to thus remove yourself from the danger zone.