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Title: OVERVIEW OF REHABILITATION ROBOTICS AT INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION Speakers: Timothy Judkins, David Mayhew, and Ben Bachrach
Date: Friday, August 22, 2008
Time: 10:00-10:30am
Location: CSEB 320
ABSTRACT:
IAI has developed two rehabilitation robotic devices: LSS and MACARM. The LSS (Load Support System) is a motorized body weight support (BWS) system that provides constant load support to 150 kg for treadmill walking. The MACARM (Multi-Axis Cartesian-based Arm Rehabilitation Machine) is a 6 degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) cable robot for upper limb rehabilitation. Overviews and performance evaluations of both devices will be presented. The MACARM was evaluated for static and dynamic positional accuracy, force performance, speed and work volume. Positional errors were smaller than 1% of the movement magnitude throughout the tested range. In addition, the MACARM demonstrated favorable path repeatability, a critical element for "teach and play" approaches to robotic rehabilitation. However, measurements indicated a coupling between the end-effector position and orientation, which may impact force performance. The MACARM is currently being evaluated for stroke rehabilitation in a gravity-assisted reaching paradigm. The LSS was evaluated while unimpaired individuals walked on a treadmill at three walking speeds with three levels of load support (20%, 40%, and 60% BWS). The LSS performed well under all of these conditions, maintaining an applied load within 2% bodyweight or less of the specified load across all walking speeds and support load levels. In the future, both devices will be used to assess and facilitate rehabilitation for individuals with upper and lower extremity disabilities.
COMPANY DESCRIPTION:
Intelligent Automation, Inc. (IAI) is a woman-owned small business located in Rockville, MD. Unlike many research and development companies which focus on one core technology, and on products concentrated in a specific commercial niche, IAI has maintained its character as a R&D "think tank." The interests of our scientists span a broad range of domains from Intelligent Robotics, Electromechanical Systems, Signal Processing, Sensing and Communications, Distributed Intelligent Systems, and Educational and Training Technology. IAI's technological developments typically are initiated as a response to a stated Government or commercial customer need. Historically, much of IAI's research has been an outgrowth of the US Government funded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Over the last five years our business strategy has expanded to include technical R&D services (see www.i-a-i.com). We pride ourselves in our ability to develop innovative technological solutions to complex problems. Our staff includes approximately 110 employees (over 50 PhDs and over 40 Masters in engineering, computer science, Math and Physics). IAI focuses on translating cutting edge research into real-world applications. We have proved to be very effective at developing a technology from the concept stage through design, building and testing of a prototype system. By combining expertise across these core areas, IAI is developing groundbreaking biomedical technologies in the area of rehabilitation robotics, medical informatics, and medical sensors that address the technological challenges as well as the socioeconomic impact of rehabilitation robotics.
