Applying robotic technology to aid people with severe disabilities.
Researchers at Rice University and the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston have developed a prototype robotic aid for people with severe disabilities, with emphasis on low cost, versatility, and ease of use. Using custom software written for the Macintosh¿ line of personal computers and a custom input device that emulates a mouse, a user can command a modified HERO 2000¿ robot to perform simple fetch and carry tasks in a structured indoor environment.  Further interaction with the environment is possible using a household appliance controller that is also interfaced to the computer.
Regalbuto
M
M
Adept Technology, San Jose, California 95134.
Krouskop
T
T
Cheatham
J
J
D003201:Computers; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004777:Environment; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D012371:Robotics / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000191:economics*; D012984:Software