An Adaptive Haptic Interface for Disabled Individuals

Barron Associates, Inc. (BAI) proposes to develop an affordable assistive technology in the form of a motorized joystick with position sensors and associated software that will permit the remediably disabled to operate computers, household appliances, machinery, powered wheelchairs, and other vehicles, with a minimum of fatigue. The system will adapt quickly and robustly to a wide variety of different disabilities, including manifestations of spasticity, dystonia, rigidity, and tremors. The proposed hardware and software, which incorporates recent advances in dynamical modeling, filtering, and control, will also provide refined measures of fatigue and functional motor ability. Evaluation of the technology will be done using a rigorous quantitative technique based on established principles.