Traditional mobility aids for physically disabled children often fail to provide sufficient independence, creating a reliance on caregivers. Emerging technologies such as AI-powered smart wheelchairs and robotic exoskeletons offer the potential to enhance autonomy through self-navigation and powered movement assistance. This study aimed to assess public perceptions of current mobility aids, awareness of smart alternatives, and the perceived benefits of AI-driven assistive technology. A quantitative survey was distributed via Google Forms to 61 participants across three categories: family members of physically disabled children, professional caregivers, and general respondents. The results indicated significant dissatisfaction with traditional aids, with 76.4% rating their accessibility as poor and 93.4% believing they provide insufficient independence. Key challenges identified included limited mobility (24.5%), social exclusion (19.6%), and dependency (18%). Furthermore, a strong majority (81.7%) believed smart wheelchairs could significantly improve independence, despite low awareness, as only 23.3% of respondents were familiar with such technologies. Desired features for smart aids prioritized ease of use (24.5%) and affordability (19.6%). The study concludes that while smart mobility technologies hold considerable promise for enhancing the independence and quality of life for physically disabled children, their widespread adoption is hindered by high costs, limited accessibility, and a lack of public awareness. Recommendations include reducing costs, increasing public education, and fostering collaboration between healthcare and technology sectors to develop more user-centric and affordable solutions.

Smart Mobility Aids, Physically Disabled Children, Assistive Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Robotic Exoskeletons, Public Perception, Accessibility