Author: Superflux, Jon Ardem, Alexandra Fruhstorfer, Jon Flint 

Published By: Vimeo

Published: 2015 

"Uninvited Guests is a short film that explores the frictions between an elderly man and his smart home.  Thomas, aged 70, lives on his own after his wife died last year. His children send him smart devices to track and monitor his diet, health and sleep from a distance. But Thomas has always been fiercely independent, happy to live in an organised mess. He struggles with the order and rules imposed on him by the objects that are meant to make his life easier. In a world where ’smart objects’ will increasingly be used to provide care at a distance, how will we live with these uninvited guests? This film was created by Superflux Lab for the ThingTank project."

For further information visit: http://www.superflux.in/work/uninvited-guests

Watch at: https://vimeo.com/128873380

Category: Domestic Assistance Future Trends & Possibilies Local Perspectives Mobile Technologies Robotics Smart Homes & Environmental Controls

Added by Lisa Kelly · 8 years ago

Author: Sarah Bahari

Published By: University of Texas Arlington Magazine

Published On: Spring 2014

UT Arlington scientists are on the leading edge of assistive living research, designing smart homes and programming lifelike robots that could transform care for the elderly, disabled, and injured.

Read more at:  http://www.uta.edu/utamagazine/spring-2014/features/into-the-arms-of-technology.php

Category: Robotics

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 8 years ago

 Author: Feros Care

Published By: Feros Care 

Published:  2016

Known as is Wheel-I-Am, is Feros Care’s latest recruit and is essentially an iPad mounted on a miniature Segway base.

The concept is simple – to keep seniors socially connected by using technology so residents who are less mobile and unable to go on social outings can still be part of the fun.

To view more information go to: http://www.feroscare.com.au/home-page/wheel-i-am/

Or watch the video: 

Category: Communication Future Trends & Possibilies Mobility Robotics Videos

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 8 years ago

Author: Gerard Lacey, Kenneth M. Dawon-Howe, David Vernon 

Published By: Computer Science Dept., School of Engineering, Trinity College Dublin

Published On:  2015

This technical report describes ongoing research into the development of a robotic mobility aid (PAM-AID) for people with a visually impairment who also require support during walking. These disabilities coincide most often in the elderly and as the elderly constitute almost two thirds of all blind people (due to the fact that blindness occurs most often in the over 65's).Some of the elderly blind have difficulty in using the common mobility aids such as the long cane or guide dog and consequently have little opportunity for independent exercise. PAM-AID will provide both a physical support during walking and a mobility aid thus providing an opportunity for independent activity. This report examines issues related to mobility for the blind and pays particular attention to the needs of the elderly or frail.

Category: Mobility Robotics

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 8 years ago

Loss of physical mobility makes maximal participation in desired activities more difficult and in the worst case fully prevents participation. This paper surveys recent work in assistive technology to improve mobility for persons with a disability, drawing on examples observed during a tour of academic and industrial research sites in Europe.

The underlying theme of this recent work is a more seamless integration of the capabilities of the user and the assistive technology. This improved integration spans diverse technologies, including powered wheelchairs,prosthetic limbs, functional electrical stimulation, and wearable exoskeletons. Improved integration is being accomplished in three ways: 1) improving the assistive technology mechanics; 2) improving the user-technology physical interface; and 3) sharing of control between the user and the technology. We provide an overview of these improvements in user-technology integration and discuss whether such improvements have the potential to be transformative for people with mobility impairments.

Category: Mobility Robotics

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 8 years ago

Author: Richard Simpson

Published By: Journal of Research and Development

Published On: August 2005

Several studies have shown that both children and adults benefit substantially from access to a means of independent mobility. While the needs of many individuals with disabilities can be satisfied with traditional manual or powered wheelchairs, a segment of the disabled community finds it difficult or impossible to use wheelchairs independently. To accommodate this population, researchers have used technologies originally developed for mobile robots to create 'smart wheelchairs'. Smart wheelchairs have been the subject of research since the 1980s and have been developed on four continents. This article presents a summary of the current state of the art and directions for future research.

Category: Mobility Research Robotics Transport

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 8 years ago

UTARI collaborated with H-E-B and Operation Finally Home to provide technology and research integration of automated and robotic devices in home settings.  In 2014, we supported the development of two (2) Smart Homes to benefit wounded warriors. Read more about the HEB Project here.

https://youtu.be/LHLK62FL-VQ

This video features Mike McNair 

Mike McNair is the Automation and Intelligent Systems Director at The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI).  He joined the Research Institute in October 2013 initially overseeing the research in Unmanned Systems and Assistive Technologies; his responsibilities were later expanded to include oversight in Advanced Manufacturing and Sensor Development.

McNair received a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Texas A&M University in 1982.  He later received a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering from The George Washington University in 2013.  He also holds an active membership with the Program Management Institute (PMI) with a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.  His direct unmanned systems experience includes the dual roles of Chief Architect and Chief Software Engineer on a large UGV and UAV System of Systems effort from the U.S. Army.  Included in his background is engineering and project leadership across multiple engineering and application domains.  McNair has authored or coauthored multiple journal and conference publications, is a current member of the SAE AS-4 (JAUS) standards group and has presented at several industry conferences and symposiums.

Category: Connected Health Mobile Technologies Robotics Smart Homes & Environmental Controls Videos

Added by Elizabeth Dodd · 8 years ago

Authors: Francesco Franshimon, PhD and Michiel Brink, MSc

Published by: Journal of Gerontechnology

Year of publication: 2009

The aging society could have a greater societal impact than the current financial crisis. The percentage of older adults has increased while the size of the health care workforce has remained constant. Home automation, robotics, assistive technology, geriatric telecare and telemedicine can support independence in older adults and diminish the health care burden. Currently, delivering services through these technologies is accomplished mainly through stand-alone systems. Multiple stand-alone systems in one dwelling become a multidisciplinary technological challenge of risks and benefits. Ideally, only those technology mediated services requested at a particular moment should be provided. This calls for a reduction in the barriers between healthcare and technology disciplines and an intelligent network using software agents supporting optimal integration and interoperability to increase the quality of life of older adults and decrease the healthcare burden in our aging society.

Category: Communication Connected Health Robotics Smart Homes & Environmental Controls

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 8 years ago

Authors: Trudy Yuginovich, Jeffrey Soar and Ying Su

Faculty of Business & Law, University of Southern Queensland

Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China

Year of Publication: 2012

Aims: To trial the use of a range of available Smart Assistive Technologies for people with dementia and their families.

Summary: The disability support and aged care sectors have not to date taken full advantage of assistive and other relevant technologies; there is a massive unmet need for greater support and a significant level of issues that are not addressed. There are a range of potential benefits of Smart Assistive Technologies for people with dementia, their families and carers. This small study confirmed some of these whilst confirmation of other potential benefits will require more research.

Category: Allied Health Communication Domestic Assistance Local Perspectives Regional Service Delivery Robotics Smart Homes & Environmental Controls

Added by Ash-Lee Hall · 8 years ago