The Applied Science and Engineering Laboratories (ASEL) is a program jointly operated by the duPont Hospital for Children of the Nemours Foundation and the University of Delaware. ASEL focuses on research and development, as well as public policy and systems change, relating to the use of advanced rehabilitation technology by people with disabilities. The rehabilitation robotics research program at ASEL consists of a collection of research projects to aid persons with manipulative disabilities. The diverse range of projects in this program focus on interactions between the human, the tool, and the environment.
Arlyn Toolworks has a mission to develop, build and sell manipulation appliances and ongoing consumables for people with severe paralysis using proprietary low-cost robot technology. These devices will be engineered so that they are durable, reliable, and easy to use and offer good value while they enhance independence, dignity and quality of life.
Members of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) are persons dedicated to the mission of stimulating the advancement of assistive technology for the benefit of persons with disabilities including elderly people. The AAATE operates in the areas of creating awareness, promoting research, contributing to knowledge exchange and promoting information dissemination. All individuals supporting the mission of AAATE may become members. AAATE is a non-profit organisation based on democratic principles. The special interest group SIG-1 Robotics explores robotics applied to the needs of persons with disabilities.
The Bath Institute of Medical Engineering is a design and development charity in medical engineering; working with users and medical professionals to solve problems of disability and healthcare with practical technology. The Institute has had a rehabilitation robotics programme since 1987.
The British Computer Society (BCS) Disability Group is a voluntary organisation which aims to identify and promote ways in which computer technology can improve the quality of life of disabled people. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in this field. The group publishes Ability, a quarterly magazine.
The Bloorview MacMillan Centre is committed to the achievement of optimal health and quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities or long term needs. The research department's mission is to promote research and evaluation activities as an integral part of providing quality care and rehabilitation services to clients and families. New technologies being developed and researched include orthotic devices, powered mobility and robotics, graphical computer interfaces and computer software for assessment and remediation. Research on the impact of these assistive technologies on the lives of people with disabilities is of primary importance.
The Centre of Rehabilitation Engineering Research (CERTEC) is a unit within Lund Institute of
Technology (LTH) at Lund University, Sweden. CERTEC directs its research towards finding out how technological solutions (and successive improvements in them) can best meet the needs of people with disabilities. Consequently, the research efforts are aimed at making the needs and the fulfillment of them visible. The research areas at CERTEC are: Rehabilitation Robotics, Technology and Cognitive Impairments, Optics and Visual Impairment, Everyday Technology. CERTEC has courses for engineering students as well as for personnel in health care and rehabilitation.
Since 1983 the Computer Vision and Robotics Group at Trinity College Dublin has pursued excellence in both industrial and academic research. It has provided engineering solutions to problems which require sensing and physical interaction. The aim of the group is to advance understanding in the areas of computer vision, robotics and the theory of autonomous systems. This is achieved through research and validation in practical applications, many of which assume an industrial nature. In recent years we have begun concentrating on the application of computer vision and robotics technology in rehabilitation. Most recently this work has been sponsored by the National Rehabilitation Institute (NRB).
The main goal of Exact Dynamics is to serve the international market with advanced, high quality, high added value robots for the rehabilitation and medical field. Exact Dynamics, established in 1989, has optimized the Manus manipulator. Now Manus is available on a commercial basis.
Forschungsinstitut Technologie-Behindertenhilfe (FTB) is the general department of Evangelische Stiftung Volmarstein (a large orthopaedic rehabilitation centre) for requirements analysis, research, development, evaluation and exploitation of assistive technology. FTB is divided into centres for information dissemination, technology development and equipment testing. In the area of Rehabilitation Robotics, FTB is concerned with the usability of handling aids. It has been involved in the PMMA, IMMeDIAte, OMNI and Uni-Face projects.
The Institute for Rehabilitation Research (IRV) was founded in 1981 by the Foundation for Scientific Research into Rehabilitation (SWOR). Participants in this trust are the Limburg Cooperating Rehabilitation Centres (SRL), the University of Limburg (RL) and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Activities focus on research, development, and knowledge transfer in the field of rehabilitation and handicap. In the area of independent living and working, research and development of technical aids is undertaken to compensate for functional impairments.
Rehabilitation robotics investigates the application of robotic technology to human rehabilitation. In general, research projects focus on the design and development of electro-mechanical systems that augment the abilities of therapists while they interact with patients recovering from injury or disease. These systems can provide an objective, quantitative means for evaluating patient performance and human movement control. The Mechanical Systems Laboratory has undertaken several research projects directly related to rehabilitation robotics.
MRISAR creates unusual forms of Science, Art & Robotics exhibits, many of which are handicap interactive. It also maintains a Science Consultant Curriculum Enhancement Program for public schools, Touring Science, Art & Robotics Programs and a Research & Development Division that specializes in Animatronics, Rehabilitation Robotics, Medical Electronics, Alternative Energies & Artificial Autonomics and focuses on environmental & humanitarian solutions.
OxIM Ltd is a specialist designer and builder of advanced automation systems. Its markets are to industrial end users in the UK and, through international distributors, to a growing number of major companies, educational and research institutions in Europe, UK, the USA and the Far East. OxIM produce the RT series of robots used extensively in the field of Rehabilitation Robotics. The company also markets the RAID workstation, developed by an international consortium within the EC TIDE programme.
The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) is an interdisciplinary association for the advancement of rehabilitation and assistive technologies. Its purpose is to improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals through the use of technology. RESNA promotes research, development, education, advocacy and the provision of technology and supports the people engaged in these activities. The special interest group SIG-13 Assistive Robotics and Mechatronics explores robotics applied to the needs of persons with disabilities.
Rehabilitation Engineering Research is undertaken within the SVR Research Group at the Department of Engineering. The emphasis of the research is on the application of robotic technology for the benefit of severely physically disabled people. A number of related assistive technologies are also under investigation including fundamental research on the potential benefits of multi-modal user interfaces.
The Rehabilitation Technologies Division (RTD) of Applied Resources Corporation (ARC) was established in March of 1997 with the purpose of developing and marketing assistive robotic devices for individuals with manipulation disabilities. Applied Resources Corporation has been active in the development of robotic aids since 1993. The primary purpose of an assistive robot is to provide the consumer with a device that assists in the performance of manipulation tasks. To this end, RTD-ARC assumes an evolutionary approach to product conceptualization that is based on the liberal definition that a robot is programmable automation to augment human manipulation. The products under development by RTD-ARC include powered feeders and pageturners at the simple end of the spectrum, and advanced multi-link robotic manipulators at the complex end of the spectrum.
The principal goals of the Tejima laboratory are the basic study of assistive technologies and the development of technical aids for the aged and the challenged. This laboratory was started in April 1996 and is involved with several projects in the field of Rehabilitation Robotics.