Latest Blog Posts
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Assistive Robotic Manipulation Performance Evaluation between Manual and Semi-Autonomous Control
We have developed a 3D vision-based semiautonomous assistive robot arm control method, called AROMA-V, to provide intelligent robotic manipulation assistance to individuals with impaired motor control. A working prototype AROMA-V was built on a JACO robotic manipulator combined with a low-cost short-range 3D depthsensing camera. In performing actual robotic manipulation…
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Can the Kinect detect differences between proper and improper wheelchair transfer techniques?
Improper transfer technique predisposes wheelchair users to upper limb joint pain and injuries. The purpose of the current study is to investigate if the Kinect can distinguish between proper and improper transfer techniques. Nine full time wheelchair users performed sitting pivot transfers and the quality of their transfer was scored…
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Empirical evaluation of circling interface with head-mounted mouse emulator users
Purpose: To evaluate the performance of the circling interface, which is an alternative interaction method for selecting and manipulating on-screen objects based on circling the target, rather than pointing and clicking. Method: We conducted empirical evaluations with actual head-mounted mouse emulator users from two different groups: individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI)…
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Performance evaluation of a mobile touchscreen interface for assistive robotic manipulators: A pilot study
Background: Assistive robotic manipulators (ARMs) have been developed to provide enhanced assistance and independence in performance of daily activities among people with spinal cord injury when a caregiver is not on site. However, the current commercial ARM user interfaces (UIs) may be difficult to learn and control. A touchscreen mobile UI…
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Three Dimensional 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.…
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Head Pose and Facial Expression-Based Alternative Input Method for People with Physical Disabilities
The purpose of this research is to design and develop a new alternative input method, called HF Interface, for selecting and manipulating on-screen objects based on tracking the user’s head pose and recognizing his/her facial expressions, using a 3D depth sensing camera. To specify a target of interest, the HF…
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Smart Signage: Technology Enhancing Indoor Navigation for the Blind
We developed and evaluated a BLE-based indoor location awareness system called Smart Signage to provide blind and visually impaired people with better accessibility to the built environment. The Smart Signage system consists of three components; a user component, an environmental component, and a smartphone app. The user component implemented with…
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Real-time Synchronous Slideshow Presentation Access Technology for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
This research has developed a prototype software package called SPARC (Slideshow Presentation Access with Real-time Communication) that enables people with blindness or visual impairments to have synchronous access to slideshow presentation made with Microsoft Office PowerPoint, using cloud computing as a core Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The SPARC consists…
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Internet of Things Technology for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology: Potentials and Challenges
As one of the most influential technologies to improve and make changes in our daily living, Internet of Things (IoT) technology has drastically developed and extensively gained in popularity, as time goes by. Undoubtedly, a successful application of the IoT technology to rehabilitation engineering domains enables people who have special…