Co-adaptation of assistive mobility devices and residential functions

Abstract

Purpose For facilitating an independent living for elderly or disabled people, a method has been developed at TUM Building Realization and Robotics Lab, which aims at creating intelligent living environments by adjusting mobility systems and everyday objects (e.g. appliances) as modular and complementary subsystems. The proposed system comprises an intelligent wheelchair, which enables simplified use of the bath-room, kitchen and living room, etc. It can dock at certain functions, e.g. the toilet, both on a physical and information technology level. Method Studies show that the major problem for people with physical and/ or cognitive disabilities in everyday routine and in managing the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) is the surmounting of different height levels and distances. Even for a person with a good physical fitness, it is extremely difficult or even impossible to transfer from a wheelchair onto a couch autonomously. The reason is the height difference between the furniture and wheelchair, as well as the space or gap that occurs mostly between the transport device and the piece of furniture. The proposed work presents a thorough research study, which enabled a huge gain in knowledge, concerning the re-design of household appliances and devices, in order for them to be straightforwardly and cost effectively integrated with mobility supporting robots. The outcome of this research, led to the participation on a research project which involves 7 companies and 3 universities. In order to realize the co-adaptation of an assistive mobility device and residential functions, the following development approach steps were followed: i) research and identification of needs, ii) definition of requirements, iii) identification of technologies and processes, iv) initial concept, v) experiment in real environment, vi) final concept and further development roadmap. Results & Discussion Most wheelchairs are designed with a fixed height and do not provide features for altering their elevation level. Additionally, handicapped individuals face major problems when reaching items located higher, due to the fact that objects in the environment are mostly located statically, and it is difficult to get at them as a disabled user. Especially for disabled people, the functions should come to them instead of the other way around. The results of the study prove that the coadaptation of assistive mobility devices with various residential functions, allow the complexity reduction of mobility robots. Companies notice a huge potential in such an approach, as it would allow them to design less complex, and thus more cost effective robots for ADLs use. The high cost of robots is currently one of the main obstacles for deploying them in the home environment. Based on this study, TUM was finally able to set up a government funded 3-year R&D project (total funding cost: 3.9 Million €, starting from June 2012) where major strategies, processes and components necessary to achieve uninterrupted mobility chains for elderly people will be brought to product market level.