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Transferring Robot – AT, RT

The transferring robot is a robot that is designed to assist patients by lifting them out of their beds and wheelchairs and transferring them to new positions. The Robot for Interactive Body Assistance (RIBA) is a type of transfer robot. This particular robot still requires a caregiver to provide navigational assistance.

Phoenix Lee

https://www.washington.edu/doit/programs/accessengineering/adept/adept-accessibility-briefs/assistive-robotics-activities-daily

The RIBA is a friendly transferring robot that looks like it is giving the individual a hug while transferring them. The robot can perform transfers from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to bed, and just lifting an individual up from the bed. According to the official RIBA website, “RIBA is the first robot that can lift up or set down a real human from or to a bed or wheelchair. RIBA does this using its very strong human-like arms and by novel tactile guidance methods using high-accuracy tactile sensors” (n.d.). I feel as though this could also be considered a rehabilitative technology because not only does it do transfers, but it could also help patients stand and do weight transfers or even walk around a little bit with it’s assistance.

http://rtc.nagoya.riken.jp/RIBA/index-e.html#:~:text=RIBA%20is%20the%20first%20robot,using%20high%2Daccuracy%20tactile%20sensors.

Personal Service Robot -AT

A personal service robot is robot that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment. It is used for personal use as well as noncommercial use. A personal robot is a type of assistive robot defined as a robot that gives aid or support to a human user. This assistance can be in the form of a domestic servant robot, an automated wheelchair, a personal mobility assist robot, etc.

Phoenix Lee

https://ifr.org/img/office/Service_Robots_2016_Chapter_1_2.pdf

Cook, A.M., Polgar, J.M, Encarnação, P. (2020). Assistive Technologies: Principles & Practice. 5th Edition, Elsevier. Pg. 306.

 

For individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a personal service robot can be used to grab objects and bring them directly to the user. An example of this would be the robot picking up a brush and placing it on the user’s arm and brushing it back and forth to scratch the user’s arm. It could also be used for drinking. The personal service robot is able to grab a cup and lift it close enough to the user’s mouth to be able to drink. The personal service robot makes it easier for people with little to no motor function to be able to navigate some of their ADLs.

The Trainable Controller for People Who Use Wheelchairs

The trainable remote-control is defined as a remote control unit that can control multiple different devices using that one remote control unit. They can be set up to work with any appliance. These devices operate by storing the control code for any specific appliance function (e.g., on/off) ( (Cook, A.M., Polgar, J.M, Encarnação, P. (2020). Assistive Technologies: Principles & Practice. 5th Edition, Elsevier. Pgs. 297-298).

To use the trainable remote-control device, one would point the trainable controller at the controller for the specific appliance and send the specific function code (e.g. TV ON). The trainable device then stores this code for future use. When the stored code is sent to the appliance, it is received and used as if it had been sent by the appliance’s own controller. This means that any appliance with a controller can be programmed into one master controller. This mainstream technology could greatly benefit people who use wheelchairs because they would not have to maneuver between tight spaces or try to reach somewhere that they would not be able to to turn an appliance on or off.

Link that describes how a trainable remote control can be used as an assistive technology as well as being a mainstream technology.

 

The Mouth Stick

A mouth stick is defined as “a general purpose aid (a manipulation aid that must support many daily activities, across different environments” (Cook, A.M., Polgar, J.M, Encarnação, P. (2020). Assistive Technologies: Principles & Practice. 5th Edition, Elsevier. Pg. 282). Mouth sticks are oftentimes used to strengthen one’s control in conjunction with control interfaces. Mouth sticks are generally used for the direct manipulation of objects.

A mouth stick is described as “a wooden dowel with different attachments at one end and a molded piece at the other end that allows the person to hold the stick in his mouth” (Cook, A.M., Polgar, J.M, Encarnação, P. (2020). Assistive Technologies: Principles & Practice. 5th Edition, Elsevier. Pg. 282) . A mouth stick is controlled with head movement, and can typically be used to turn pages, write with (when a writing utensil is attached), grab objects (when a pincher or suction cup is attached), manage a smartphone or tablet, or slide objects around. It can also be used in leisure activities such as video gaming (pushing buttons on the game controller). The mouth stick can be used in many different capacities, which is what makes it so cool!