Reemo: Wearable That Can Automate The Entire House

Al Baker from Playtabase

In recent years, we have seen a ton of wearables that do a lot of things - track physical activities/calories burned, display email/text/phone notifications, monitor how well one sleeps at night, steps walked, workouts done, and several other activities. Typically, these wearables are worn on the hand and they don't necessarily interact with other objects in the environment - with current wearables, you cannot open or close doors, turn on or off the lights. They just interact with you (the wearer) and your phone in most cases (phone call, text, email, social media notifications).

Playtabase, a company in Minneapolis, MN co-founded by Al Baker, is working hard to take wearables to the next level - a level that will make interaction with every object in the house or office a breeze. This will be especially incredible for people with disabilities.

Reemo - What is it?

Reemo, just like several other wearables, is worn on the wrist. However, the purpose is to not just track your physical activities. Reemo works in combination with a wireless receiver and smart plug. A device or object like a coffeemaker, stereo, lock, light, door, window blinds or almost anything around the house can be connected to the receiver and operated by Reemo by simply gesturing towards it. For example, you don't have to walk up to the switch to turn it on or off or to adjust the thermostat. No need to walk up to the door to keep opening and closing it as more and more guests come in. Lights, security systems, entertainment systems, fireplace int the house - you name it, Reemo can operate it. All one has to do is wear Reemo and use one of the six gestures that can be assigned to Reemo, and Reemo performs the desired operation for them.

Reemo & Assistive Technology

Picture this - a person is in a wheelchair. They may be an amputee, have mobility issues, have had a
stroke recently and were paralyzed. Moving around in the house and operating different devices may be a struggle or in some cases not really possible. For such a person, just being in their bed or wheelchair and to be able to adjust their thermostat, start the fireplace, turn on the security system, and turn blinds up and down by just pointing and gesturing will bring great convenience. Similarly, a blind person gesturing towards their coffee machine to get a freshly brewed cup of coffee or turning on their music system without approaching it and looking for buttons will be tremendously convenient as well.

Al sees Reemo in the assistive technology/care realm as a complimentary device. Currently, there are around 10 - 11 million homes that are "smart" as compared to a total of 135 million homes in the US. He also says that homeowners and caregivers at various facilities have started looking at smart technology but they want solutions that are better than what a phone app offers to really control everything. That's where Reemo fits in nicely.

There are currently 110 developers that are developing applications for Reemo whether as an assistive technology device or something really cool because after all, Reemo is not just a technology for people with disabilities - it's a technology for anyone, including lazy people!

Listen to Al talking about Reemo and assistive technology below:

Reemo Demo

Al was kind enough to give me a demo of how Reemo works. The scenario in this video is that of a person who is going to bed and wants to turn off the light(s) and turn on the lock on the door (both at the same time). This demonstrates that with one gesture, multiple objects/devices can be operated. Al also shows how, with a different gesture, just one of the multiple objects in the setup can be operated as well.

Note: I will add captions to the video soon!

Now that you have seen the demo, watch the following video too to get an idea of what all you can use Reemo for:

Reemo For life from John Valiton on Vimeo.

Inspiration Behind Reemo

Reemo came into existence for two reasons - one, to do cool things, and two, because Playtabase's cofounder Muhammad's father suffered two strokes that left half of his body disabled. The idea was to give him a "universal remote" that he wouldn't drop and it would just consist of a wave of a hand. They wouldn't have to pay anyone so much to look after him because not only would it make him more independent but also make him feel emotionally better.  During the same time, the emergence of smart homes and wearables also encouraged Al and Muhammad to create a solution that will work on all smart watches and wouldn't be proprietary. 

Hear Al talk more about the inspiration behind Reemo:

Reemo - The Product

In the next month and a half, Reemo will be shipped to its alpha and beta users. It will be available to consumers sometime during summer of this year. The consumer kit can also be pre-ordered on Reemo's website for $249 (and $299 for a developer kit).

To know more about all the great progress Reemo's making and to get the latest news, sign up on for their mailing list.

Playtabase

Playtabase has been around for two and half years and Reemo for around two. Playtabase has aspirations to create products that are both engaging and fun to use but are also meaningful and have a lot of depth.



Website: www.getreemo.com

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Parrot Speak To Call: Hands Free Phone Software

As we saw in the last post, spinal cord injuries or paralysis can render arms unusable. Anyone with not so good motor skills also have difficulty using their fingers and hands to perform daily operations, thus making them depend on others around them to get things done. One of those things can be getting help to make and receive phone calls - a process that seems fairly simple, but without the use of arms, can be quite a bit of a challenge. It is quite possible that someone may not be around all the time, and waiting for a friend or caregiver to come check in on them may be the only option for quite many people.

To alleviate this problem, Parrot "Speak to Call" provides a very convenient solution. A software that runs on Windows PC along with Dragon Naturally Speaking and Microsoft Speech (comes with Windows), Parrot helps make and receive phone calls by just using speech. The interface is very simple and minimal with just the essential options displayed. The software comes with a few "lists" of its own (Family, Friends, Professionals & Businesses and Work), to which you can add contact information and their phone numbers. Of course, it gives you the ability to add more lists too if the four it comes with are not enough. With just one word commands, Parrot can make making and receiving phone calls a breeze. Check out the quick videos below to see Parrot "Speak to Call" in action.

Set up is very simple (make sure you know how to enable your speech recognition software). The best part is that you don't require a phone line or need to hook it up to your existing phone line. It works on its own and does not depend on any other hardware accessories (except the USB headset you will be using to make calls) which typically complicate set up and use, and make things difficult to fix if they break. When you sign up, they give you a phone number as well.

A very good solution for people who don't have good motor skills or cannot use their arms because of paralysis or other spinal cord injuries. This software can also be used by bedridden people or  those who cannot move a lot because of sickness or old age to call their caregiver to let them know if they need anything.

Signing up requires a one time fee of $99 and a monthly $39 fee for unlimited calling within USA and Canada (month to month; no contract). $10 from each sale also goes to charity!

Go to Parrot's website to learn more about this product.

Website: www.speaktocall.com

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WHILL: World's Most Advanced Personal Mobility Device Starts A Kickstarter Campaign

In the recent past, WHILL has received a lot of coverage and recognition for all the right reasons. A personal mobility device that gives an amazing level of flexibility, control, maneuverability as well great comfort and design. This personal mobility device has become so popular recently that its first batch, scheduled for delivery in July, is completely sold out, and the second batch, scheduled for August, is almost 80% preordered. 

This device definitely has some features that have been really well thought out by its designers, especially its arms that can be adjusted for easy sitting, electronic seat sliding forward and backward for easy table access and comfort, and not to mention its ability to maneuver any type of terrain - snow, grass, gravel, or anything else, thanks to four wheel drive, and its ability to be controlled by a phone app!

The team behind WHILL just launched a Kickstarter campaign to promote their device and receive more funding to keep enhancing this already wonderful device. To know more about this personal mobility device, see it in action and to support the campaign, head over to their Kickstarter campaign page!

Read more about the honorable mention the team got at the Red Dot Award 2014 here.

WHILL Kickstarter.
WHILL Website.
 

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Cyabathlon: Sporting Event For People With Disabilities

There is a lot going on in the assistive technology world - newer and exciting advancements are happening all the time. However, the purpose of assistive technology is not just to provide suitable accommodations and make life easier for people with disabilities but also to take things to the next level - make them competitive; help them become true sportsmen.

To bring that philosophy to reality, Cybathlon, a championship for people with disabilities, will take place in Zurich on 8 October 2016. The event is open to everyone who wear prosthetic limbs; use exoskeletons, powered wheelchairs or brain interfaces. The people competing can either use commercially available products or prototypes made by individuals or research labs. There would be two medals for each event - one for the "pilot" (the person driving or using the device) and the other for the manufacturer of said device.



 Pilots will be participating in the following disciplines:

• Arm Prosthetic Race: Amputees wearing prosthetic upper arm limbs will be required to complete two hand tasks as quickly as possible.
• Brain Computer Interface Race: Pilots will wear a brain interface that will be used to control their avatar in a horse race or car race game.
• FES Bike Race: Pilots with complete spinal cord injuries will be given Functional Electrical Simulation devices which will enable them to pedal on a circular track.
• Leg Prosthetics Race: Pilots with lower limb prosthetics will be competing in a race with tasks and hurdles.
• Powered Exoskeleton Race: Pilots wearing exoskeleton will be walking in a circuit with various tasks, elements and hurdles.
• Powered Wheelchair Race: Similar to the Exoskeleton Race, pilots who are on powered wheelchair will be steering their wheelchairs along a particular course with various obstacles.

As an example, here is what the Leg Prosthetic Race circuit looks like (click to enlarge):

The Cybathlon is not just for promoting competitiveness among people with disabilities - there are some very noble aspirations attached to it. First and foremost, to keep encouraging companies and research labs to produce cutting edge assistive technology devices. Second, to make the common public aware of all the challenges and opportunities that assistive technology provides, and last, but not the least, to enable pilots to compete in various races!

This is a unique way to bring excitement into the assistive technology world and to everyone involved in this area. Keep an eye on this event. I will post again about Cybathlon as more information becomes available!

Website: Cybathlon

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WHILL Type-A Four Wheel Drive Stylish Wheelchair!

Assistive technology products and concepts are always appreciated for their functionality and not necessarily their aesthetics, because traditionally, the focus has never been on how a product looks. The only criteria, really, for an accessibility related product to succeed is that it does its job well.

But why not take things a step further and make them look pleasing as well? What's wrong with making an accessibility product aesthetically pleasant and beautiful? In this age of minimalism and sleek designs, why not give "the looks" of a product some love and affection as well?

We already know that the WHILL Type-A brings technology and modern design together. The company that is combining sleekness, robustness and speed in the form of a personal mobility device has more exciting news for everyone!

The award winning team behind the WHILL Type-A comprises of talented people who've worked at Nissan, Sony, Olympus in the past, will be selling 50 units in California this summer and all over the US in the winter. Pre-order is available for an initial deposit of $500. The purchase price for this product is $9,500 which does not include shipping etc. I am hoping that insurance companies would be able to fund the purchase of this wheelchair for those who really need it.

WHILL Type-A can handle any kind of terrain without showing any signs of stress, thanks to its four wheel drive.

Did I say even snow?

Another big hurdle WHILL Type A helps the user tackle is going up steep slope. Who says four wheel drives are only for cars and big SUVs?

Talking about cars and SUVs, the WHILL Type-A is so compact that you can fit two in a car!

Want to see all the features of WHILL Type-A? Go here.

If you are a AT professional who work with clients in wheelchairs and go to exhibitions and events to check out the newest products, WHILL will be at the following events this year if you want to check them out:

- Abilities Expo LA

February 28th - March 2nd

Los Angeles Convention Center - West Hall A

1201 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90015

http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/losangeles/

- Test Drive Event at Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco

March 5th, 11am-3pm

Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco

649 Mission St, 3rd Floor San Francisco, CA 94105

https://www.facebook.com/events/581770515248363/

- San Diego Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference

March 19th - March 21st

Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel

One Market Place San Diego, CA 92101

http://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/2014/sessions/

WHILL Website: whill.jp
WHILL on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamWHILL

 Follow @ATBlog2

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Robotic Device That Mimics Human Leg Could Help With Rehabilitation

Yong-Lae Park, an assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has developed a device made of soft, wearable material that could help in the rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular disorders associated with cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als), multiple sclerosis or stroke, and ankle-foot disorders like drop foot.

This device, composed of soft plastics and composite materials, mimics the muscles and ligaments of the human leg, and is not rigid like an exoskeleton because of which it has the ability to incorporate lightweight sensors and ultimately achieve natural motion by mimicking the biological structure of the lower leg. This device's composition allows the wearer to achieve a normal walking gait (moving the foot side to side at 27 degrees).

Park says that this device can be modified to create rehabilitation devices for other parts of the body too. The next steps with this device are to determine its performance as a rehabilitation tool and also to use much lighter material to form the "muscles" of the leg.

Here is a quick demo of this device.

Source: Carnegie Mellon via Gizmodo

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PointGrab: Control Household Appliances And Electronic Devices With Point And Gesture Control

We have been seeing a lot of devices that are touch and gesture enabled that can be very helpful for people with various disabilities (motor skills, spinal injuries, quadriplegics). However, all the devices that we have seen so far work with computers.

That is soon going to change.

A Tel Aviv based company, PointGrab, is working on bringing to the masses a couple of concepts that use motion and gesture controls not just with computers but also with household appliances! The technology works by creating a "transparent space" in front of the user, enabling a touch interface but from a distance. The user has to be pointing their eyes and a finger at the device and perform a gesture to get the desired action. For example, pointing a finger at a lamp will turn it on, and moving it in a downward motion will dim the lamp. Similar gestures can be used to control any device in the house - air conditioners, window shades, thermostats, doors, etc. PointSwitch is the concept that works with appliances, and AirTouch works with computers, televisions, and other consumer devices.

The company suggests that we should start seeing these technologies in consumer products as soon as early 2014.

Watch the following two videos to see how PointSwitch and AirTouch work.

Source: Engadget
Image Source: Engadget

Website: PointGrab

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Project Ray: The World's First Smart Phone For Blind And Visually Impaired Users

The smartphone revolution has brought a lot of comfort and convenience to practically everyone's fingertips. Looking for information, reading books, communicating with loved ones in not one but many ways, and even performing "real work" using a phone has become a way of life for us. Thanks to all the phone manufacturers and their dedication towards accessibility, blind and visually impaired users have had great success with smartphones.

However, the regular smartphone can be quite overwhelming for the average visually impaired user. The touch screen on a smartphone, which is the most essential component of the device, just doesn't have enough tactile clues to help a blind user navigate the menus. Voice commands work pretty well, but can still be frustrating to many. Also, for users who are not so tech savvy, less is more, and they desire something that's not too complicated.

Project Ray, an Israeli startup, has developed a phone that is specially designed keeping blind people in mind. The interface of the phone is robust, yet very simple, and makes most sense for people who are visually impaired. The touch screen consists of five to twelve icons or buttons, depending on where the user is in the navigation area. Every icon has a designated app. The user just needs to move their finger

in a specific direction to open the app designated for that icon. Although the icons are laid out in the center of the screen, users don't necessarily have to "press" the displayed icon in order to open an app. Placing a finger anywhere on the screen enables the interface and the icon layout, and from that very location the user can move their fingers in any direction to open the desired app. The screen tracks the direction of the finger and does not require that an icon be clicked. Thanks to tactile feedback and voice commands, the user would know that their touch has been recognized and the required action would be performed.

The interface has been kept simple and minimal, yet all required functionalities have been provided. Navigating through multiple pages of apps is a breeze. Of course, the phone provides pretty much all standard features and applications that a regular smartphone has (favorites, full call logs, telephony, alarm clock, radio, voice recorder, calendar etc.). The in built camera also has currency recognition that can scan money bills and tell the user if it is a $5 or $100 bill. For people who like to read, audio books are available from the Library of Congress, Amazon, and others.

Project Ray has three models available that can be bought directly from their website, Amazon, and Odinmobile. There is also an Android simulator that can be downloaded from here if you want to see how it works.

Watch this demo video to see how easy it is to navigate the clutter free interface. A little bit of practice would make any user comfortable and using it on a daily basis would become a way of life.

There are more quick training videos on their Youtube channel.

Watch this video to see how others are using this phone.

Visit Project Ray for more details.

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WHILL Type-A: State Of The Art Wheelchair That Offers Style And Comfort

The most modern wheelchair to date, the WHILL Type-A is available for pre order in the US.

Is it modern just because it is so stylish? Well, yes, but there's a lot more than style this wheelchair offers. 

To start off, this wheelchair does not force the user to sit in an upright inactive posture unlike traditional wheelchairs - it allows them to lean forward a bit, just like riding a bicycle. The small and compact wheelchair (measures only 23.6 inches wide x 32.5 inches long) has all-around wheels which allows it to rotate on the spot. The wheels are robust and large enough to avoid getting stuck in cracks or bumps on roads/ sidewalks. The four wheel drive ensures that it can achieve high power and can handle any kind of terrain (think concrete, grass, dirt, gravel roads).

The WHILL Type-A wheelchair is available for pre order on its website and the delivery is scheduled for early next year. There is no mention of pricing anywhere on the website.

WHILL will be exhibiting at the  Ability Expo San Jose from November 22 - 24 this year (Booth 514). 

Hit the source link to read more!

Source: WHILL via Gizmodo

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DexType: Virtual Keyboard For Leap Motion Controller

Leap Motion controller, that allows you to control your computer by using gestures (sometimes just a flick of a finger is enough), was made available to the public on Monday. Of the very few apps that are available in the Leap Motion, one that truly stands out, and is extremely useful for people with impaired motor skills (whose skills may not be strong enough to use a physical keyboard) is an app called DexType.

DexType is a virtual keyboard that lets you type by just using gestures in the air. To type, the user just "bounces" from one key to another. The keys are aligned in a line at the bottom of the screen, and the user can switch to one of many keyboard formats with QWERTY, of course, being one of them. The beauty of DexType is that typing can be achieved by using only two fingers one one hand. Using just one hand for typing would be beneficial for people who may have only one hand functional and/or one of their hands is paralyzed.

DexType also comes with tools that help users navigate the web without the use of a keyboard and mouse. Going to any website, composing and sending emails, following links and doing every task that you would typically do on the web is a breeze with DexType.

Here is a quick demo of DexType in action.

This app is available for Google chrome here for free till August 7. After that, the free version will be ad supported and a premium ad free version will be available for $4.99.

Read the following press release for more detailed and specific information about DexType.

PRESS RELEASE

On Monday, the LEAP Motion gesture recognition device finally became available to everyone.  The first generation of software for the LEAP includes some incredible programs, but we believe that gesture recognition can be used for so much more than just playing games.  We're proud to announce the release of DexType, which changes the LEAP from an entertaining gadget into a genuinely useful tool by providing an alternative to the most important peripheral device of all - the keyboard.

DexType is the world's first truly "virtual" keyboard, a system that allows users to type using nothing more than gestures in the air.  The keys are arranged at the bottom of the screen in a single line.  The sequence of letters is a linear arrangement of the familiar QWERTY keyboard.*  To type, the user simply bounces from key to key.

DexType gives you a lot of leeway to be imprecise with your keystrokes.  It treats keystrokes as groups instead of as discrete letters, and processes input with a disambiguation algorithm to predict the intended output.  This means that even with gibberish input, such as "nxopl", the system will still produce a word - "hello".  The most likely output is predicted based on the available possibilities, and if necessary the user can select from other options with a simple swiping gesture.

If definitive keystrokes are required (such as for acronyms, usernames, or passwords), they are easily available by simply pressing deeper.  Numbers and symbols are accesible through a separate layout, but can also be produced via handwriting recognition.  Punctuation can be produced via chords - pressing two keys at the same time in specific regions.  Editing is possible using simple gestures - a sideways swipe allows the user to erase single letters or entire words, depending on the length of the motion.

DexType includes a tool set that gives you all the options you need to navigate the web without having to use a keyboard or a mouse.  You can scroll and click within pages, and most importantly, you can type.  You can follow links, launch a search engine, or navigate directly to literally anywhere on the web.  You can compose emails and documents, or fill in forms.  You can move backward or forward in your browser history; you can open new tabs, close existing ones, or browse through them all.

With DexType, it becomes possible to use a computer without having to touch anything at all.  Pastry chefs can look up recipes while their hands are covered in flour.  Neurosurgeons can add notes to a brainscan without having to touch an unsterilized surface.  And everyone else can lounge on the couch and select a movie to watch while munching on buttered popcorn.

DexType is currently available for download via the Chrome Web Store (see link below).  The software is absolutely free until August 7, at which point the free version will become ad-supported and a premium version will be available for $4.99.

DexType will also be available for cellphones and tablets.  In late August, we intend to have a beta version available for Android users to download and try.  Users who purchase the premium version of DexType will receive automatic access to the Android version, and the beta version will be available to other users as well for a minimal cost.

For additional information, please contact:

Zack Dennis

Pointesa, LLC

E-mail: zack@dextype.com

Phone: 323-877-6918

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Bebionic3: Prosthetic Arm For Daily Use

In the last year or so, we have seen quite a few prosthetic limbs in the market that are just remarkable in their own way - from helping people pick up things to offering touch and feel. Rapid developments in this area only go to show that people are actually accepting prosthetic limbs as a good substitute for a real limb.

Nigel Ackland, who lost his arm in an accident six years ago, was fitted with the Bebionic3 just last November, and already he can use the arm so seamlessly and flawlessly to perform daily chores - from tying shoelaces to making an omelette.

I think the Bebionic3 is the only prosthetic arm (as far as I know) that comes with its own silicone skin to give it a natural appearance. The hand also comes with its own software that can be monitored and configured wirelessly. Make sure to check out the website (source link) to learn (a lot) more about the gripping mechanisms, components it is made of, and all the technical information.

Nigel Ackland, everyone.


Source: Bebionic.com via Gizmodo

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Hodu: A "Zero Failure" Physical Therapy Device

Traditional physical therapy devices require a lot of effort even when a patient is just starting with their therapy, only to get discouraged and disappointed sooner or later and giving up. Hodu, however, is a simple "zero failure" physical therapy device that rewards the patient for even the slightest of effort applied, thus encouraging them to keep going and getting better and stronger. The device has built in sensors that detects the effort/pressure being applied and lights up colored LEDs. Every color is associated with a certain level of pressure applied on the device.

The team behind Hodu is also working on software that will record the patient's progress and email all the information to their therapist.

A very simple, yet useful device. Check out the video to see what Hodu is capable of!

Source: Engadget, Meatbotics
Image source: Engadget

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Surgery Helps Paralysis Patients Walk Again

Dr. Justin Brown, a neurosurgeon in San Diego, is helping patients suffering from paralysis walk again!

Most recently, he helped Rick Constantine, 58, who, following a car crash had a brain stem stroke which resulted in paralysis of the right side of the body. He was told that he would never be able to walk again. He tried physical therapy but that gave him unsubstantial benefits.

The surgery that Dr. Brown performed on Rick is called a selective peripheral neurotomy and is done under a microscope. Essentially, this surgery trims the troublesome nerve branch by up to 80 percent, thus reducing the amount of "noise" being sent back to the spinal cord. The noise is what causes the spasticity.

Rehabilitation can begin 72 hours after the procedure. Rick was walking without a walker two weeks after the procedure and even finished a 1 mile race without any assistance.

Watch the video to see what Dr. Brown's patients are saying about their experiences. Dr. Brown also explains the surgery in great technical detail.

Anyone requiring more information about this surgery should call 858-657-7000.

Source: UC San Diego Health System, Science Daily via Bill Shackleton

#SD Man walks again after surgery to reverse muscle paralysis ow.ly/2v9Ni1
� Bill Shackleton (@CRPDisabilities) February 28, 2013

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Mobi-Chair: Wheelchair For The Beach!

 

 

How often do people in wheelchairs get to go to the beach and play in the water?

Deschamps, a New Jersey based family owned business, has created the Mobi-Chair, a high quality beach chair that provides people bound to wheelchair an easier way to access and navigate across the beach. The arm rests and wheels are made of floating materials that enable the chair to fully float in water.

The Mobi-Chair can be assembled or disassembled in 5 - 10 minutes without the use of any tools, and can easily fit into the back of the trunk of a vehicle. The aluminum frame and other materials are corrosion free and the fabric used for the chair is non allergenic, UV resistant, and ventilated for quick drying.

The Mobi-Chair may not necessarily be inexpensive as it will set you back by $2139. I could not find any information on whether insurance companies would cover costs for the chair or not.

See the video to see Mobi-Chair in action, and check out the website for more information!

Source: Disabled-World via Barrier Break

Website: Mobi-chair.com

RT @disabledworld: Mobichair Floating Beach #Wheelchair - #Disability #Videos - Disabled World shar.es/4yFeL #a11y
� Barrierbreak(@Barrierbreak) January 14, 2013

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i-Transport: Wheelchair That Helps People Move And Reach Heights

Scientists at the National Cheng Ku University in Taiwan have designed a wheelchair that not only allows users to maneuver around but also adjust its height so that they could practically stand in order to reach things and/or perform chores and other activities.

i-Transport, which is quite light and has greater mobility (thus helping perform daily chores with ease), comes with its own health monitoring system that monitors blood pressure and breathing condition. People who are in wheelchairs 12 - 18 hours a day, feel the need to recline, move their body position and shift their body pressure, and this wheelchair allows them to do just that. Of course, they also get a sense of pride when they get to stand and do things on their own.

The entire assembly consists of a robotic arm, the electric drive wheels, and a control panel. i-Transport also has a safety mechanism built in - it reads certain physiological signals, converts them to parameters and compares them against data it has in its monitoring system.

There's no news of this wheelchair going into mass production, but we sure hope it does!

Source: NCKU via Engadget

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Controlling A Prosthetic Arm With Thought

Image source: BBC

What we used to see a few years ago in movies is turning into reality. Controlling objects with just your thought? Who would have ever thought?

Jan Scheurmann, a 53 year old quadriplegic who is paralyzed from the neck down, recently managed to control a prosthetic arm with her mind to grasp and move objects with ease.

Two sensors were implanted in her brain that pick up electrical signals from around 200 individual brain cells, which later translate into commands that are used to move the arm and grab objects. The co-ordination, skill and speed she achieved only after 14 weeks of training (she was picking up objects on the second day!!) was almost similar to that of an able bodied person.

Image source: BBC

The next plan is to attach the prosthetic arm to Jen's wheelchair so that she could use it on a daily basis. There have been attempts to give sensation to the prosthetic arm as well so that Jen could feel the sense of touch.

This development is huge for people with spinal cord injuries, amputees, and quadriplegics. We saw something similar earlier this year, and looking at the progress, we should see a lot more action in this area in the coming years!

Hit the source links to read more about this in detail.

Source: BBC, The Lancet via Gizmodo

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Vanderbilt Exoskeleton Promises More Independence For The Paralyzed

Today's guest blog post comes from Joseph Hill. Joseph writes on behalf of Pannone Personal Injury documenting research into disability and assistive technology.

A team of engineers at Vanderbilt University have developed an exoskeleton which gives people who suffer from paraplegia or have suffered severe spinal cord injuries, the ability to walk again.

Brian Shaffer, who is paralyzed from the waist

 down,  testing the Vanderbilt exoskeleton 

at Shepherd Center's satellite facility in 

Franklin, Tenn. (Joe Howell/Vanderbilt University)

The device was developed by Professor of Medicine and Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University, Michael Goldfarb. The exoskeleton provides its users with a degree of independence which can�t be met with a standard wheel chair. Its lightweight and compact size enables the paraplegic to stand, sit, walk and climb stairs, things that some of us may take for granted at times.

The device acts as an external skeleton and securely straps around waist and then ridged supports are strapped above and below the knee. The hip and knee joints are controlled by electric motors which are powered by advanced batteries. The patient is also advised to use forearm crutches with the device to establish balance when moving.

Brain Shaffer suffered a car accident around Christmas 2010 which left him paralysed from the waist down. He has been testing the exoskeleton at the Sheppard centre�s satellite facility in Franklin, in Atlanta. �My Kids have started calling me �Ironman�� said Brian.

 �It�s unbelievable to stand up again. It takes concentration to use it at first but, once you catch on, it�s not that hard: The device does all the work. I don�t expect that it will completely replace the wheelchair, but there are some situations, like walking your daughter down the aisle at her wedding or sitting in the bleachers watching your son play football, where it will be priceless,�

The device weights about 27 pounds in total, which is around half the weight of other models which can weigh up to 45-50 pounds. Not only is this model the lightest and most advanced exoskeleton in development, but it is also predicted to be the cheapest once it makes it to market. The price of other existing models on the market have price tags as high as $140,000, however Vanderbilt University believe that by using the manufacturing capability of Parker Hannifin and Goldfarb�s minimalist design, they will be able to keep the cost down to hopefully make the thought of an exoskeleton a more affordable product.

�It would be wonderful if we could get the price down to a level where individuals could afford them and insurance companies would cover them,� Claire Hartigan, a physical therapist at the Shepherd Centre, has worked with various different exo-skeletons and is really excited by the new developments. 

�This is an extremely exciting new technology,� said Clare.

According to Hartigan, just getting out of the seating position and standing up can have major health benefits. People who spend a large part of their life in a seated position can suffer from osteoporosis, pressure sores and blood clots, whilst also developing serious problems with their respiratory, urinary, cardiovascular and digestive systems. Interestingly, the risk of developing these health issues can be considerably reduced by regularly standing, moving and exercising the lower limbs. Despite also working with the Argo and Ekso, Claire and her colleagues recognise the Vanderbilt as the most promising rehabilitative home device in development.

Test session of the exoskeleton: The test subject, Brian Shaffer, is followed by Shepherd Center

 physical therapist Scott Hawes, Vanderbilt engineer Don Truex and Vanderbilt graduate 

students Kevin Ha and Spencer Murray. (Mike Todd/Vanderbilt University)

�You can think of our exoskeleton as a Segway with legs,� said Goldfarb. �If the person wearing it leans forward, he moves forward. If he leans back and holds that position for a few seconds, he sits down. When he is sitting down, if he leans forward and holds that position for a few seconds, then he stands up.�

Leaning technology is however not the most advanced technology which has been integrated into this device. The Vanderbilt design is also the first wearable robot to incorporate a proven rehabilitation technology called Functional Electrical Stimulation. FES applies small electrical pulses to paralyzed muscles, causing them to contract and relax. This can improve strength in the legs of people with incomplete paraplegia and for complete paraplegics, FES can improve circulation, change bone density and reduce muscle atrophy. The amount of robotic assistance also adjusts automatically for users who have some muscle control in their legs. This allows them to partially use their own muscles which have rehabilitate benefits, but when a user is totally paralyzed the device does all the work. This again is completely unique to the Vanderbilt design.

The exoskeleton is currently being tested and refined at the Shepherd Center, Atlanta, Georgia, a rehabilitation hospital that focuses on rehabilitation and research into people who suffer from spinal cord or brain injury. The Vanderbilt Exoskeleton should be released into the market sometime next year.

Sources: Product, Design & Development, Vanderbilt, OandP, Gizmag

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