Overcoming barriers and increasing independence: service robots for elderly and disabled people

This paper discusses the potential for service robots to overcome barriers and increase independence of elderly and disabled people. It includes a brief overview of the existing uses of service robots by disabled and elderly people and advances in technology which will make new uses possible and provides suggestions for some of these new applications. The paper also considers the design and other conditions to be met for user acceptance. It also discusses the complementarity of assistive service robots and personal assistance and considers the types of applications and users for which service robots are and are not suitable

Gamified Music Learning System with VR Force Feedback for

Many conditions cause loss of coordination and motor capabilities in the extremities. One such condition is stroke, which affects approximately 15 million people worldwide each year. Many robotic systems have been developed to assist in the physical and neurological rehabilitation of patients who have suffered a stroke. As a result of this project an actuator, to be used for hand rehabilitation, by means of visual processing and Bowden cables, was designed. This project aims to use the design of the actuator combined with gamification elements to create an interface to be used in future robotic rehabilitation systems as well as address the compliance problem found in rehabilitation

Gamified Music Learning System with VR Force Feedback for Rehabilitation

Many conditions cause loss of coordination and motor capabilities in the extremities. One such condition is stroke, which affects approximately 15 million people worldwide each year. [1] Many robotic systems have been developed to assist in the physical and neurological rehabilitation of patients who have suffered a stroke. As a result of this project an actuator to be used for hand rehabilitation using visual processing and Bowden cables was designed. This project aims to use the design of the actuator combined with gamification elements to create an interface to be used in future robotic rehabilitation systems as well as address the compliance problem found in rehabilitation

Investigation into the need for Additive Manufacturing personalisation of handheld assistive devices

As people become older, they are prone to suffer physical and cognitive deterioration due to diseases and the ageing process itself. These disabilities affect their daily activities but the usage of an assistive device may provide the necessary support and increase their quality of life. However, sometimes these products do not provide a solution to everybody, as they are standard versions offering the same characteristics to all users; for this reason, it is useful to think about the production of personalised options that could solve particular needs. The creation and built of tailored devices may have as a result a better match between the user and the product, improving their fit and performance; these characteristics can be achieved via additive manufacturing since this technology is able to produce cost-effective and complex organic forms adapted to a user. This study has the aim of assessing the potential of additive manufacturing in the production of personalised assistive devices, evaluating whether it is worth or not use this technology to personalise assistive products. Through a combination of literature searching and focus group sessions, a walking stick handle was identified as a suitable case study device which would have the potential to impact a high number of people across a range of illnesses associated with ageing. This study has shown, via user trials, that an ergonomic shape as opposed to the more traditional “crook” style, was a preferred option because its form adapts better for the user’s hand, there is more support due to its wider surface and pressure is exerted over the whole hand; also, it could provide a more comfortable position for hand and wrist. Most users also preferred some kind of additional texturing on the handle because they could provide a degree of roughness to the surface, causing an anti-slippery effect and providing a better grip, but the exact texture they preferred varied between users. This suggests that there may be a benefit to allowing users a choice of different textures at the point of purchase. Personalisation of an ergonomic-shaped handle did not appear to provide a significant benefit, with participants generally preferring the standard shape. This suggests that (for the majority of people) the overall shape may have more of an influence on the user’s preference than any small changes to enable conformance to the individual. However, further work is needed to define a suitable and accurate method of capturing user data in cases where personalisation may be more relevant, for example, where someone has a disability that affects their ability to grab the handle

Annals of Scientific Society for Assembly, Handling and Industrial Robotics 2021

This Open Access proceedings presents a good overview of the current research landscape of assembly, handling and industrial robotics. The objective of MHI Colloquium is the successful networking at both academic and management level. Thereby, the colloquium focuses an academic exchange at a high level in order to distribute the obtained research results, to determine synergy effects and trends, to connect the actors in person and in conclusion, to strengthen the research field as well as the MHI community. In addition, there is the possibility to become acquatined with the organizing institute. Primary audience is formed by members of the scientific society for assembly, handling and industrial robotics (WGMHI)

The development of assistive technology to reveal knowledge of physical world concepts in young people who have profound motor impairments.

Cognitively able children and young people who have profound motor impairments and complex communication needs (the target group or TG) face many barriers to learning, communication, personal development, physical interaction and play experiences, compared to their typically developing peers. Physical interaction (and play) are known to be important components of child development, but this group currently has few suitable ways in which to participate in these activities. Furthermore, the TG may have knowledge about real world physical concepts despite having limited physical interaction experiences but it can be difficult to reveal this knowledge and conventional assessment techniques are not suitable for this group, largely due to accessibility issues. This work presents a pilot study involving a robotics-based system intervention which enabled members of the TG to experience simulated physical interaction and was designed to identify and develop the knowledge and abilities of the TG relating to physical concepts involving temporal, spatial or movement elements. The intervention involved the participants using an eye gaze controlled robotic arm with a custom made haptic feedback device to complete a set of tasks. To address issues with assessing the TG, two new digital Assistive Technology (AT) accessible assessments were created for this research, one using static images, the other video clips. Two participants belonging to the TG took part in the study. The outcomes indicated a high level of capability in performing the tasks, with the participants exhibiting a level of knowledge and ability which was much higher than anticipated. One explanation for this finding could be that they have acquired this knowledge through past experiences and ‘observational learning’. The custom haptic device was found to be useful for assessing the participants’ sense of ‘touch’ in a way which is less invasive than conventional ‘pin-prick’ techniques. The new digital AT accessible assessments seemed especially suitable for one participant, while results were mixed for the other. This suggests that a combination of ‘traditional’ assessment and a ‘practical’ intervention assessment approach may help to provide a clearer, more rounded understanding of individuals within the TG. The work makes contributions to knowledge in the field of disability and Assistive Technology, specifically regarding: AT accessible assessments; haptic device design for the TG; the combination of robotics, haptics and eye gaze for use by the TG to interact with the physical world; a deeper understanding of the TG in general; insights into designing for and working with the TG. The work and information gathered can help therapists and education staff to identify strengths and gaps in knowledge and skills, to focus learning and therapy activities appropriately, and to change the perceptions of those who work with this group, encouraging them to broaden their expectations of the TG

Annals of Scientific Society for Assembly, Handling and Industrial Robotics 2021

This Open Access proceedings presents a good overview of the current research landscape of assembly, handling and industrial robotics. The objective of MHI Colloquium is the successful networking at both academic and management level. Thereby, the colloquium focuses an academic exchange at a high level in order to distribute the obtained research results, to determine synergy effects and trends, to connect the actors in person and in conclusion, to strengthen the research field as well as the MHI community. In addition, there is the possibility to become acquatined with the organizing institute. Primary audience is formed by members of the scientific society for assembly, handling and industrial robotics (WGMHI)