Three Dimentional Computer Vision-Based Alternative Control Method for Assistive Robotic Manipulator

JACO (Kinova Technology, Montreal, QC, Canada) is an assistive robotic manipulator that is gaining popularity for its ability to assist individuals with physical impairments in activities of daily living. To accommodate a wider range of user population especially those with severe physical limitations, alternative control methods need to be developed. In this paper, we presented a vision-based assistive robotic manipulation assistance algorithm (AROMA) for JACO, which uses a low-cost 3D depth sensing camera and an improved inverse kinematic algorithm to enable semi-autonomous or autonomous operation of the JACO. The benchtop tests on a series of grasping tasks showed that the AROMA was able to reliably determine target gripper poses. The success rates for the grasping tasks ranged from 85% to 100% for different objects

ARoMA-V2: Assistive Robotic Manipulation Assistance with Computer Vision and Voice Recognition

We have designed and developed a handy alternative control method, called ARoMA-V2 (Assistive Robotic Manipulation Assistance with computer Vision and Voice recognition), for controlling assistive robotic manipulators based on computer vision and user voice recognition. Potential advantages of ARoMA-V2 over the traditional alternatives include: providing completely hands-free operation; helping a user to maintain a better working posture; Allowing the user to work in postures that otherwise would not be effective for operating an assistive robotic manipulator (i.e., reclined in a chair or bed); supporting task specific commands; providing the user with different levels of intelligent autonomous manipulation assistances; giving the user the feeling that he or she is still in control at any moment; and being compatible with different types of new and existing assistive robotic manipulators

Comparing the Activity Profiles of Wheelchair Rugby Using a Miniaturised Data Logger and Radio-Frequency Tracking System

Copyright © 2014 Barry Mason et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Assessment of Muscle Activation of Caregivers Performing Dependent Transfers With a Novel Robotic-Assisted Transfer Device Compared With the Hoyer Advance

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activity in caregivers while using a novel robotic assistive transfer device (Strong Arm) to a clinical standard of care (Hoyer Advance). DESIGN: A Quasi-Experimental design was used in which twenty caregivers (33±15 years old) performed transfers with three surfaces (toilet, bench and shower chair) with the Strong Arm and Hoyer Advance. Transfer completion time (sec), peak percentage surface electromyography (EMG) and integrated EMG of the bilateral erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major and anterior deltoid were measured. RESULTS: Caregivers required less transfer time when transferring from wheelchair to surface using the Hoyer Advance (p=.011, f=.39). Lower back: significantly lower pEMG were found using Strong Arm in 50% and for the iEMG in 25% of the cases, with the remaining cases showing no significant differences. Shoulder: significantly lower pEMG were found using Strong Arm in 19% of transfers and lower iEMG was found in 25% of transfers when using the Hoyer Advance, with the remaining cases showing no significant differences. CONCLUSION: While back muscle activation during Strong Arm transfers is statistically, but not clinically, lower, additional features that couple with significantly lower muscle activation make it an alternative to the clinical standard for further research and possible clinical applicability

Comparing the activity profiles of wheelchair rugby using a miniaturised data logger and radio-frequency tracking system

Comparing the activity profiles of wheelchair rugby using a miniaturised data logger and radio-frequency tracking syste

Participatory design in the development of the wheelchair convoy system

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In long-term care environments, residents who have severe mobility deficits are typically transported by having another person push the individual in a manual wheelchair. This practice is inefficient and encourages staff to hurry to complete the process, thereby setting the stage for unsafe practices. Furthermore, the time involved in assembling multiple individuals with disabilities often deters their participation in group activities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Wheelchair Convoy System (WCS) is being developed to allow a single caregiver to move multiple individuals without removing them from their wheelchairs. The WCS will consist of a processor, and a flexible cord linking each wheelchair to the wheelchair in front of it. A Participatory Design approach – in which several iterations of design, fabrication and evaluation are used to elicit feedback from users – was used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An iterative cycle of development and evaluation was followed through five prototypes of the device. The third and fourth prototypes were evaluated in unmanned field trials at J. Iverson Riddle Development Center. The prototypes were used to form a convoy of three wheelchairs that successfully completed a series of navigation tasks.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A Participatory Design approach to the project allowed the design of the WCS to quickly evolve towards a viable solution. The design that emerged by the end of the fifth development cycle bore little resemblance to the initial design, but successfully met the project's design criteria. Additional development and testing is planned to further refine the system.</p

The extinct shark Otodus megalodon was a transoceanic superpredator: Inferences from 3D modeling

Although shark teeth are abundant in the fossil record, their bodies are rarely preserved. Thus, our understanding of the anatomy of the extinct Otodus megalodon remains rudimentary. We used an exceptionally well-preserved fossil to create the first three-dimensional model of the body of this giant shark and used it to infer its movement and feeding ecology. We estimate that an adult O. megalodon could cruise at faster absolute speeds than any shark species today and fully consume prey the size of modern apex predators. A dietary preference for large prey potentially enabled O. megalodon to minimize competition and provided a constant source of energy to fuel prolonged migrations without further feeding. Together, our results suggest that O. megalodon played an important ecological role as a transoceanic superpredator. Hence, its extinction likely had large impacts on global nutrient transfer and trophic food webs

Rehabilitation medicine summit: building research capacity Executive Summary

The general objective of the "Rehabilitation Medicine Summit: Building Research Capacity" was to advance and promote research in medical rehabilitation by making recommendations to expand research capacity. The five elements of research capacity that guided the discussions were: 1) researchers; 2) research culture, environment, and infrastructure; 3) funding; 4) partnerships; and 5) metrics. The 100 participants included representatives of professional organizations, consumer groups, academic departments, researchers, governmental funding agencies, and the private sector. The small group discussions and plenary sessions generated an array of problems, possible solutions, and recommended actions. A post-Summit, multi-organizational initiative is called to pursue the agendas outlined in this report (see Additional File 1)

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Perceived Physical and Mental Health and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of People with Disabilities: Quantitative Analysis of the International Community Survey

This study aims to determine the perceived impact of the coronavirus pandemic on physical and mental health and healthy lifestyle behaviors in community-dwelling persons with disabilities, as compared to those without disabilities