A robotic walker that provides guidance

• DOI: 10.1109/robot.2003.1241568
• Publication Date: 2004-03-01T21:26:50Z
• Authors: A. Morris; R. Donamukkala; A. Kapuria; A. Steinfeld; J.T. Matthews; J. Dunbar-Jacob; S. Thrun
• Keywords: Interface (matter)

This paper describes a robotic walker designed as an assistive device for frail elderly people with cognitive impairment. Locomotion is most often the primary form of exercise elderly, and devices that provide mobility assistance are critical health well being such individuals. Previous work on walkers focused primarily safety but offered little or no navigation global orientation. Our system provides these features in addition to stability support provided by conventional walkers. A software suite robot localization combined shared-control haptic interface achieves this capability. The has been tested retirement facility near Pittsburgh, PA, USA.