We’ve all heard of autonomous systems (self-driving cars etc.), but in some cases fully autonomous systems aren’t really what the users want. For example, most wheelchair users do not want to be treated simply like precious pieces of cargo and ferried around automatically from point A to point B. Instead they want to be empowered to get around by themselves so they can continue with their activities of daily as independently as possible. However, there are some instances when environmental barriers such as narrow passageways, rough terrain and indeed crowds of oblivious pedestrians rather hamper their efforts. In cases such as these, we propose a “shared control navigation”, whereby the wheelchair itself is able to actively assist the user in safely and efficiently maneuvering through these difficult situations, without taking away their overall control authority. It is important to note that every individual is unique, so any such shared control system should be able to adapt to the needs and capabilities of that particular user.