Mecanum and omni wheel-based assistive technologies present an alternative to conventional mobility devices for individuals with motor impairments, owing to their omnidirectional movement capabilities and high maneuverability in constrained environments. This systematic review identifies and categorizes the key challenges and emerging trends in the development of such systems. Primary obstacles include limited stability and maneuverability on uneven terrain, high energy consumption, complex control requirements, and elevated production costs. In response, recent studies have introduced several innovative approaches, such as advanced suspension systems to enhance terrain adaptability, modular mechanical designs to reduce manufacturing complexity, energy-efficient motor control strategies such as field-oriented control, AI-driven autonomous navigation, and hands-free user interfaces—including gesture recognition and brain–computer interfaces. By synthesizing findings from 26 peer-reviewed studies, this review outlines current technical limitations, surveys state-of-the-art solutions, and offers strategic recommendations to inform future research in intelligent assistive mobility technologies.

This article presents an assessment of the mechanical properties of biochars in the context of their potential application as bone graft substitutes. The samples were obtained from selected hardwood species and subjected to pyrolysis at temperatures of 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C and 1000 °C. To assess the mechanical properties, a classical three-point bending test was employed alongside Digital Image Correlation (DIC), which enabled analysis of displacement and strain distribution. The results indicate that biochars derived from hornbeam pyrolysed (carbonised) at 800 °C achieve Young’s modulus values of up to 5.69 ± 0.76 GPa and those, carbonised at 1000 °C, reached flexural (bend) strength values of up to 0.01897 ± 0.00211 GPa. These parameters fall within the range of cancellous bone properties and the lower range of cortical bone properties of the mandible, suggesting their potential suitability for reconstructing load-bearing bone structures with limited mechanical demand, including the mandible. The results highlight the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the material and indicate the need for further studies on biocompatibility and surface functionalisation. Plant-derived biochars, owing to their natural porosity and properties comparable to bone tissue, may represent a promising alternative to currently used biomaterials in bone tissue engineering.