A5004481384- Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
- Spinal Cord Injury Research
- Gaze Tracking and Assistive Technology
- Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Robotics
- Transportation and Mobility Innovations
- Urban Transport and Accessibility
- Context-Aware Activity Recognition Systems
- Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Older Adults Driving Studies
- Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders
- Vehicle Dynamics and Control Systems
- Human-Automation Interaction and Safety
- Control and Dynamics of Mobile Robots
- Muscle activation and electromyography studies
- Effects of Vibration on Health
- Injury Epidemiology and Prevention
- Social Robot Interaction and HRI
- Noise Effects and Management
- Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Traffic and Road Safety
- Aviation Industry Analysis and Trends
- Structural Engineering and Vibration Analysis
- Cardiovascular and Diving-Related Complications
- Hand Gesture Recognition Systems
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
2017-2024
University of Pittsburgh
2015-2024
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
2021-2022
Rehabilitation Research and Development Service
2012
The Personal Mobility and Manipulation Appliance (PerMMA) is a recently developed personal assistance robot to provide people with disabilities older adults enhanced in both mobility manipulation, which are two fundamental components for independently activities of daily life performing, community participation, quality life. Technologies assist manipulation among the most important tools clinicians, end users caregivers; however, there currently few systems that practical coordinated tasks....
The design of the mobility enhancement robotic wheelchair (MEBot) was based on input from electric powered (EPW) users regarding conditions they encounter when driving in both indoor and outdoor environments that may affect their safety result them becoming immobilized, tipping over, or falling out wheelchair. Phase I involved conducting a participatory study to understand barriers EPW found be difficult drive in/over. II consisted creating computer-aided (CAD) prototype provide addressed...
The ability to perform activities of daily living and mobility-related are substantial indicators one's live at home participate in community. Technologies assist with mobility manipulation among the most important tools that clinicians can provide people disabilities promote independence community participation. For severe involving both upper lower extremities, there few systems practical coordinated assistance tasks. personal appliance (PerMMA) was created response goals set forth by a...
The Mobility Enhancement roBotic (MEBot) wheelchair was developed to improve the safety and accessibility of users when facing architectural barriers. MEBot uses pneumatic actuators attached its frame six wheels provide curb ascending/descending for heights up 20.3 cm. To MEBot's application, this study used a heuristic approach with power evaluate application at different heights. Wheelchair were trained on features operate application. Three trials carried out ascending descending three...
This paper describes the development of a mobile base for Personal Mobility and Manipulation Appliance Generation II (PerMMA Gen robotic wheelchair), an obstacle-climbing wheelchair able to move in structured unstructured environments, climb over curbs as high 8 inches. The mechanical, electrical, software systems are presented detail, similar devices such iBOT mobility system, TopChair, 6X6 Explorer described.The PerMMA has two operating modes: "advanced driving mode" on flat uneven...
Existing automated vehicle transportation guidelines and regulations have minimal guidance to address the specific needs of people with disabilities. Accessibility should be at forefront increase autonomy independence for The purpose this research is better understand potential facilitators barriers using accessible autonomous transportation.
Background: Electric-powered wheelchairs (EPWs) are essential devices for people with disabilities mobility and quality of life. However, the design common EPWs makes it challenging users to overcome architectural barriers, such as curbs steep ramps. Current lack stability, which may lead tipping EPW causing injury user. An alternative Mobility Enhancement Robotic Wheelchair (MEBot), designed at Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), was improve of, accessibility for, in a wide...
Objectives Wheelchair transfers risk injury to users and caregivers. Conventional transfer devices are injury-prone time inefficient. The Powered Personal Transfer System (PPTS), utilizing a modified Electric (EPW) hospital bed, provides no-lift solution for bed-to-wheelchair transfers. Objective 1: Assess PPTS workload compared existing methods. 2: Evaluate EPW in daily mobility tasks. 3: Perform Rehabilitation Engineering Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) wheelchair...
Despite advances in wearable robots across various fields, there is no consensus definition or design framework for the application of this technology rehabilitation musculoskeletal (MSK) injury prevention. This paper aims to define and explore their applications challenges military force protection MSK We conducted a modified Delphi method, including steering group 14 panelists with 10+ years expertise robots. Panelists presented current currently use development assistance workforce...
Wheelchair users are exposed to whole-body vibration (WBV) when driving on sidewalks and in urban environments; however, there is limited literature WBV exposure power wheelchair during daily activities. Further, surface transitions (i.e., curb-ramps) provide accessibility from street intersections sidewalks; but these require a threshold for water drainage. This may induce high root-mean-square vibration-daily-value accelerations) guidelines not met. study analyzed the effects wheelchairs...
Most wheelchairs have low directional stability due to their wheel-drive system configurations. Hence, when a wheelchair experiences excessive slip, it will create an uncontrollable moment that changes its heading direction, endangering the safety of user. This paper presents approach longitudinal slip reduction (or traction control) for Electric Powered Wheelchair uses variable reference model, which is mass-damper system. The position joystick mapped force and torque values, are input this...
Route planning is an important tool to reach points of interest. The current technology offers options for public transportation and pedestrians on the road sidewalks, respectively. However, people who use electric powered wheelchairs (EPW) as their primary means mobility, level accessibility EPW battery consumption are during route planning. This paper introduces concept accessible navigation application reduce consumption. application, called eNav, uses five layers information including...
Caregivers that assist with wheelchair transfers are susceptible to back pain and occupational injuries. The study describes a prototype of the powered personal transfer system (PPTS) consisting novel hospital bed customized Medicare Group 2 electric (EPW) working together provide no-lift solution for transfers. follows participatory action design engineering (PADE) process design, kinematics, control PPTS end-users’ perception qualitative guidance feedback about PPTS. Thirty-six...
Purpose This study aimed to explore the requirements for accessible Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) and AV services from a consumer perspective, focusing on people with disabilities (PwDs) older adults.
Common electric powered wheelchairs cannot safely negotiate architectural barriers (i.e., curbs) which could injure the user and damage wheelchair. Robotic have been developed to address this issue; however, proper alignment performed by is needed prior negotiating curbs. Users with physical and/or sensory impairments may find it challenging such barriers. Hence, a Curb Recognition Negotiation (CRN) system was increase user's speed safety when curb. This article describes CRN combines an...
Wheelchair users often face architectural barriers such as curbs, limiting their accessibility, mobility, and participation in communities. The mobility enhancement robotic (MEBot) wheelchair was developed to navigate over barriers. Its application allows negotiate curbs automatically while the user remains control. optimized from a manual semiautomated process based on users' feedback. evaluated by experienced who navigated of different heights. Participants MEBot terms effectiveness,...
This study aimed to identify the needs of mobility device users (MDUs) pursue accessible airline travel at every stage journey, from trip planning departure arrival destination airport. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with MDUs ( n = 13) and their caregivers 7). Descriptive statistics used for demographic information, a qualitative content analysis was analyze transcribed interviews extract themes. Three overarching themes identified: service, accessibility, safety. Sub-themes...
Despite the increasing use of assistive mobility devices, practical education to navigate real-world ground transportation barriers is lacking. The educational board game, called HERL-Town, was developed teach safe and effective navigation for device users (MDUs) in community. study examined initial validity, reliability, overall quality HERL-Town as an tool overcoming environments. featured fifty scenarios focused on strategies, which were assessed content while game evaluated using Model...