The application of robotics to a mobility aid for the elderly blind

In this paper we describe a novel application of mobile robot technology to the construction of a mobility for the frail blind. The robot mobility aid discussed in this paper physically supports the person walking behind it and provides obstacle avoidance to ensure safer travel. As in all Assistive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Robotics and autonomous systems 1998-07, Vol.23 (4), p.245-252
Main Authors: Lacey, Gerard, Dawson-Howe, Kenneth M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accident prevention
Applied sciences
Blind and elderly
Collision avoidance
Computer architecture
Computer science
control theory
systems
Control theory. Systems
Exact sciences and technology
Human computer interaction
Human robot interface
Machine design
Man machine systems
Mobile robot
Mobility aid
Mobility aids for blind persons
Robotics
Shared control
User interfaces
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Summary:In this paper we describe a novel application of mobile robot technology to the construction of a mobility for the frail blind. The robot mobility aid discussed in this paper physically supports the person walking behind it and provides obstacle avoidance to ensure safer travel. As in all Assistive Technology projects, a clear understanding of the user's needs is vital and we summarise the main user requirements for our device. We then describe the mechanical design, the user interface, the software and hardware architectures of our robot. We describe the results of evaluations carried out by both mobility experts and users and finally we outline our plans for further development.
ISSN:0921-8890
1872-793X
DOI:10.1016/S0921-8890(98)00011-6