Remote Control Mode Research Articles

Computer-controlled portable stimulator for paraplegic patients

A six-channel lightweight, portable and computer-controlled stimulator for the functional activation of paraplegic patients is described. To enable programming of the various functions, the stimulator was designed to work in a remote-control mode hosted by an IBM PC or compatible computer, in addition to its normally used local mode. The stimulus parameters, including current intensity, stimulus frequency and pulse width, are individually adjustable and programmable for each channel. The power source is 12 V 500 mAh −1, from 10 rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries, with a run time of 1.5 h for a load of 200 mA in four channels. Various training programmes for the activation of paraplegics in the sitting, standing and walking positions are described. The final design of the stimulator is based on experience gained from 25 patients, treated and evaluated during the course of development. Ongoing work including clinical, biomechanical and physiological studies is carried out to evaluate performance of the activated patients and to optimize stimulation.

The efficient evaluation of soil trafficability of planetary vehicles

The authors discuss problems of ensuring safe motion of vehicles moving on the planetary surface in remote and automatic control modes when the interaction of the driver and soil should be constantly assessed and the possibility of further motion forecast. The authors substantiate for these purposes the use of methods of analyzing the interaction of the driver and soil directly in the process of motion. They suggest criteria of assessing this interaction and methods of solving problems of motion control and safety of vehicles' operation. Methods of analyzing the soil trafficability of Lunokhods 1 and 2 are presented. The recommended mathematical expressions of the suggested criteria ensure a sufficient simplicity of information controlling devices.