EUROPEAN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH THEMES Rachel Cowan, Dave Reinkensmeyer, Mary Rodgers

Overview Define Assistive Technology European Assistive Technology Research Research Gaps, Challenges & Opportunities

Assistive Technology Defined

Assistive Technology (AT) Defined Cook & Hussy, 2002 …devices, services, strategies, and practices that …ameliorate the problems faced by individuals with disabilities. Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (PL ) "...products, devices or equipment,... that maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities..."

What do these devices have in common? --- Assistive Technology?

Technology Approaches to Improve Mobility Repair body structure/function Limb regeneration Combination therapies Rehabilitate the body structure/function Enhanced Therapeutic robotics

Technology Approaches to Improve Mobility Replace missing/impaired body structures/functions Prosthetics Wheelchairs Exoskeletons Augment/Support impaired body/functions Crutches, canes Exoskeletons Hearing Aids Neuroprosthesis Shared Control Systems (Human – Device)

Assistive vs. RehabilitativeTechnology Assistive Helps person execute a functional activity in daily life User operated Rehabilitative/Therapeutic One modality in an overall rehabilitation plan Not intended for use in daily activities Clinician operated

European Assistive Technology Research Themes

European AT Research Themes 1. Assistive Technology Control 2. Assistive Technology Device Refinement 3. Humanoid Robotics as Assistive Technology?

AT Control Research

INSTITUT FOR SUNDHEDSVIDENSKAB OG TEKNOLOGI AALBORG UNIVERSITY AALBORG, DENMARK DEPT. OF HEALTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Communikation and prosthesis control for disabled – Tongue Control Research collaboration and Spinn-out Invisible Hands-off Mobile Wireless Day and night use All round

AMYO Advanced Myoelectric Control of Prosthetic Systems Control of Otto Bock Michelangelo Hand -Interface with peripheral nerve -Auto-selection of appropriate grip Long-term objective: Develop a closed-loop control system for >2 DOF prosthetic hand devices (Otto Bock, DE) based on efferent signal recordings from peripheral nerve using intrafasiscular electrodes

Professor Robert Reiner (Zurich) Institut für Automatik (ETH) Sensory Motor Systems Laboratory Zurich, Switzerland

Compensatory Limb Motion Estimation Powered Knee Control Estimate movement of missing limb from healthy leg Allows stair ascent with leading leg

ACTIVE ASSISTIVE DEVICES Hans Rietman, PhD, Enschede Assistive

Intelligent Knee Prosthesis Problem: Swing phase control of artificial knees is too weak and too stiff. Solution: microprocessor controlled knee with adaptive compensation Next step: Reflexive control integrated with physiological motor control. Main goal: A knee prosthesis with energy storage/transfer and controllable stiffness/torque.

Myoelectric Forearm Prosthesis Problem: Limited use clinically due to lack of adequate control and lack of sensory feedback. Solution: Use grid of 40 surface EMG electrodes to map muscle activity on residual stump to 10 prosthesis movements using 5 degrees of freedom. Next step: Provide sensory information via vibrotactile feedback.

ROBOTIC WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANT – PROF. ETIENNE BURDET, IMPERIAL COLLEGE

Shared Control of Assistive Technology A core need is an intelligent sharing of control between user and device Wheelchair programmed to follow specific paths -assumes static environment User can deviate when needed Allows response to dynamic conditions Illustrates trend toward incorporation of sensors on assistive technology, to make the technology intelligent

AT Device Refinement

Scuola Superiore SantAnna Multiple degree of freedom robotic hand Incorporated touch sensation Interfaced with Peripheral Nerve

Delft University of Technology Delft, The Netherlands Underactuated Hand 1 low power motor 1 sensor

Why are Humanoid Robotics Pursued? A humanoid Robot will fit everywhere a human fit (prof. Inoue, Japan) Meanwhile, spin off will bring us to machines adapted to humans Humanoid Robotics as Assistive Technology?

DELFT UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Prof.dr.ir. Pieter P. Jonker (Enschede) Humanoid Robotics Development - Discovery purposes

Scuola Superiore SantAnna Assistive, interactive robotics in home environment Emotions, responsive

COMPANIONABLE PROJECT

Assistive Technology to Improve Mobility Research Gaps, Challenges & Opportunities

Gaps – Challenges - Opportunities Assistive Technology draws heavily from multiple fields Thus limited (or facilitated) by existing technology and existing knowledge Assistive technology improvements will occur only if the source technology and knowledge improve

What do these devices have in common? --- Assistive Technology?

Questions, Comments, Thoughts