Design of a Wheelchair with Legs for People with Motor Disabilities

A proof-of-concept prototype wheelchair with legs for people with motor disabilities is proposed, with the objective of demonstrating the feasibility of a completely new approach to mobility. Our prototype system consists of a chair equipped with wheels and legs, and is capable of traversing uneven terrain and circumventing obstacles. The important design considerations, the system design and analysis, and an experimental prototype of a chair are discussed. The results from the analysis and experimentation show the feasibility of the proposed concept and its advantages

A Hybrid Adaptive Mobility System

We propose a novel mobility system for the disabled. This system would move on flat and prepared surfaces through the use of powered wheels and would be able to locomote on uneven terrain and cross over obstacles through the use of two powered manipulators. The design criteria for such a vehicle and the optimization of the design parameters for maximum mobility and stability with the smallest actuators are discussed. 1. INTRODUCTION There are many relatively sophisticated motorized wheelchairs available that are capable of providing adequate locomotion on smooth and hard surfaces but most are unable to surmount relatively small obstacles like curbs, or stepped entrances to buildings. Architectural solutions such as curb cuts and ramps are commonly used, but are limited primarily to new construction and often cannot be well adapted to existing buildings. Further, disabled people find it difficult to enjoy simple pleasures such as a walk in the park or a stroll on a beach. Special purpos..

Design of a Walking Wheelchair for the Motor Disabled

A proof-of-concept prototype walking chair for the motor disabled is proposed with the objective of demonstrating the feasibility of a completely new approach to mobility. Our prototype system consists of a chair equipped with wheels and legs and is capable of walking on uneven terrain and circumventing obstacles. The important design considerations, the system design and an experimental prototype of a chair are discussed. 1. Introduction Although motorized wheelchairs with sophisticated controls are available for the disabled, and while they can locomote on prepared surfaces most are unable to surmount common obstacles like steps and curbs. Architectural modifications such as curb cuts, ramps and elevators improve accessibility but are primarily limited to new buildings. Wheelchair users often cannot enjoy strolling on beaches nor can they easily cross muddy patches and potholes. Previous research in rehabilitation engineering has concentrated primarily on constructing a better whee..

Design of a Wheelchair with Legs for People with Motor Disabilities

A proof-of-concept prototype wheelchair with legs for people with motor disabilities is proposed, with the objective of demonstrating the feasibility of a completely new approach to mobility. Our prototype system consists of a chair equipped with wheels and legs, and is capable of traversing uneven terrain and circumventing obstacles. The important design considerations, the system design and analysis, and an experimental prototype of a chair are discussed. The results from the analysis and experimentation show the feasibility of the proposed concept and its advantages. I. INTRODUCTION OTORIZED WHEELCHAIRS with sophisticated controls are available for people with disabilities. While they can locomote on prepared surfaces most are unable to surmount common obstacles like steps and curbs. (See ANSI/RESNA WC/10 or ISO 7176/10 standards for determination of the obstacle climbing ability of a wheelchair). Architectural modifications such as curb cuts, ramps and elevators improve accessibil..

Development of a System for Rapid Detection of Contaminants in Water Supplies Using Magnetic Resonance and Nanoparticles

To keep the water supply safe and to ensure a swift and accurate response to a water supply contamination event, rapid and robust methods for microbial testing are necessary. Current technologies are complex, lengthy and costly and there is a need for rapid, reliable, and precise approaches that can readily address this fundamental security and safety issue. T2 Biosystems is focused on providing solutions to this problem by making breakthroughs in nanotechnology and biosensor techniques that address the current technical restrictions facing rapid, molecular analysis in complex samples. In order to apply the T2 Biosystems nucleic acid detection procedure to the analysis of nucleic acid targets in unprocessed water samples, Bacillus thuringeinsis was selected as a model organism and local river water was selected as the sample matrix. The initial assay reagent formulation was conceived with a manual magnetic resonance reader, was optimized using a high throughput system, and transferred back to the MR reader for potential field use. The final assay employing the designed and manufactured instruments was capable of detecting 10 CFU/mL of B. thuringiensis directly within the environmental water sample within 90 minutes. Further, discrimination of two closely related species of Bacilli was accomplished using the methods of this project; greater than 3-fold discrimination between B. cereus and B. thuringiensis at a concentrations spanning 10 CFU/mL to 10{sup 5} CFU/mL was observed

Button Simulation and Design via FDVV Models

| openaire: EC/H2020/637991/EU//COMPUTEDDesigning a push-button with desired sensation and performance is challenging because the mechanical construction must have the right response characteristics. Physical simulation of a button’s force-displacement (FD) response has been studied to facilitate prototyping; however, the simulations’ scope and realism have been limited. In this paper, we extend FD modeling to include vibration (V) and velocity-dependence characteristics (V). The resulting FDVV models better capture tactility characteristics of buttons, including snap. They increase the range of simulated buttons and the perceived realism relative to FD models. The paper also demonstrates methods for obtaining these models, editing them, and simulating accordingly. This end-to-end approach enables the analysis, prototyping, and optimization of buttons, and supports exploring designs that would be hard to implement mechanically.Peer reviewe

Between friends:making emotions intersubjectively

Analysing qualitative interview material from a project on friendship and spatiality, this article examines the relationship between friendship, emotions and context. In the project's data the workplace emerged as a key site in which people meet new friends and practice friendships. Using the workplace as a case study, the article analyses how context can shape friendships, how emotions are woven throughout the very constitution of friendships, and how friendships can impact upon people's emotional experience of workplaces. Further, I analyse how emotions are actively generated between friends. In this understanding, emotions are not pre-existing states that are located in individuals; rather, emotions are created intersubjectively between friends and in specific contexts