Initially a survey was carried out of potential users, enabling a picture to be built up of the needs and situations of disabled people. A commercially available robot arm (the Atlas arm from LJ Electronics of Norwich) was purchased to investigate the feasibility of using a relatively low cost manipulator. Five disabled volunteers controlled the robot using a scanning menu user interface system.

On the basis of feedback from the feasibility study the Atlas arm was integrated into a workstation, with various tasks arranged radially around the arm. This system underwent trials with six high level tetraplegic volunteers. From this experience the specification for a new arm was defined.

A new manipulator was designed and constructed, of a jointed cylindrical configuration mounted within a compact desk. This workstation has been tested both in a hospital environment and in the homes of disabled people.

This work has proved the feasibility of the control of a robot manipulator by a severely disabled person. Various potentially useful tasks have been carried out by the robot. A robotic workstation can provide a useful aid in an appropriate situation.

Theses