AF MASTER is an industrial product that follows several C.E.A. conceived MASTER Prototypes (Atomic Energy Commission). The AFMASTER cell offers the user autonomy thanks to its remote controlled manipulator arm. The robot bridges the gap between the shelves (its possible to have arranged on the shelves a television, video player, Hifi, printer, books, magazines, video cassettes, and other objects) and the table, adjustable in height, on which the user operates the cell thanks to the computer supervision.
The Cambridge University Robot Language (CURL) is a Microsoft Windows-based robot control environment for applications in rehabilitation and light industry. It facilitates direct control of a robot or other mechatronic device in a number of reference frames. CURL commands may be used to initiate device operation interactively. These commands may be built into procedures which define sequences of operations for subsequent execution from a procedure list. An internal model of the robot's environment enables such pre-programmed sequences to operate at the task level. CURL employs a natural language syntax to facilitate task creation and modification by non-technical personnel. The software may be configured to control a specific robot arm by coding a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) to the CURL Device Driver (CDD) specification. Drivers are currently available for RT robot arms using the IP motor control board and the IMP8 motor control board. Sales information is available from OxIM Ltd <sales@oxim.co.uk>.
Handy 1 is a robotic aid to eating developed at the Computer Applications to Special Education (CASE) Unit, Keele University. Users guide Handy 1 to pick up food from a dish, choosing the food they want to eat by operating a switch as a light appears against their choice. The robotic device presents the food to the user at a pre-programmed feeding position. The consistency of food presentation has been shown to aid progression towards independedent feeding. Continuous development is planned for Handy 1, including the provision of drinking and grooming aids as retrofittable options. Sales information is available from Rehab Robotics Ltd, Suite 3.3, Keele University Science Park, Keele ST5 5BG, United Kingdom.
Haptica has developed an award-winning smart walking frame that gives frail, visually-impaired people the confidence to walk independently and helps them regain a degree of self-sufficiency and physical fitness. The Haptica Walker leads the user safely to their destination through a unique combination of robust physical support and navigation assistance via sensors and voice.
M3S stands for Multiple Master Multiple Slave and is a system concept designed to improve access to assistive technical devices by disabled people. It defines an open architecture for general-purpose integrated and modular systems, based on the industry-standard Controller Area Network (CAN) communications bus. Additional signal lines are implemented to increase system safety and integrity. M3S provides an interface between input devices and end-effectors, allowing devices from different manufacturers to be linked in the same system. Many products featuring an M3S interface are now available. Further information is available from the M3S Dissemination Office <m3s@tpd.tno.nl>.
The Manus manipulator is a wheelchair-mounted robotic device designed to provide manipulation assistance for applications in rehabilitation. As a result of its functionality and mobility, Manus offers its users a wide range of manipulation possibilities. Example tasks include eating, pouring and drinking, playing board games, changing cassettes, operating switches and opening doors. The Manus manipulator features a programmable user interface and flexible input/output for interfacing with electrical wheelchairs. Sales information is available from Exact Dynamics bv <dynamics@worldonline.nl>.
The Raptor provides a totally new level of independence for people with severe disabilities. Equip your powered wheelchair with a Raptor, and start doing for yourself. Remember, it's your space, so use it! Sales information is available from the Rehabilitation Technologies Division, Applied Resources Corporation <rmahoney@appliedresource.com>.
Robbie provides users with the ability to retrieve files, open files and the opportunity for the individual to turn pages as well as make notations and/or provide process verification.
The Robbie Prototype operates with roughly 20 voice commands that will take files out of a 6 bay file sorter and place them onto an adjustable easel for processing/review. With the voice recognition software uniquely integrated with company software applications, the user can now add additional voice commands and macros to not only control the functionality of the robotic arm but also navigate, input, modify and manage all of their software programs.
The Robot for Assisting the Integration of the Disabled (RAID) workstation enables severely physically disabled people to undertake clerical, accountancy and CAD tasks independently within an office environment. Typical users have conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Muscular Dystrophy and spinal injury. The workstation consists of a modular storage system, a robot running on a linear track and a reader board at which the user sits. Pre-programmed routines allow the robot to perform tasks such as browsing and storing books and paper documents, manipulating computer diskettes and handling a telephone handset. Novel robot tasks may also be defined. The robot is commanded using PC-based software running under Microsoft Windows. Sales information is available from OxIM Ltd <sales@oxim.co.uk>.
The Winsford Feeder is a single-purpose feeding aid designed to enable individuals with manipulation deficits to feed themselves independently. The feeder enables people to eat solid food from a standard dinner plate, and soup or cereal from a bowl. It is controlled by either a chin switch or a plug-in rocker switch, although other types of switches may also be used. The Winsford Feeder is powered by a rechargeable battery, or may be plugged into any standard home outlet. The height of the feeder may be adjusted, but the user must possess stable head and trunk control. The Winsford Feeder was developed in the United States and may be considered to be a simple task-specific robotic aid. For this reason, it represents the basic end of the spectrum of robotic manipulation aids of our product line. Sales information is available from the Rehabilitation Technologies Division, Applied Resources Corporation <rmahoney@appliedresource.com>.