Exploring User Requirements for a Lower Body Soft Exoskeleton to Assist Mobility
Exploring User Requirements for a Lower Body Soft Exoskeleton to Assist Mobility
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DOI：
10.1145/2910674.2935827
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发表时间：
2016-06
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Valerie Power;L. O’Sullivan;A. D. Eyto;S. Schülein;C. Nikamp;C. Bauer;Jeannette Mueller;J. Ortiz
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Valerie Power;L. O’Sullivan;A. D. Eyto;S. Schülein;C. Nikamp;C. Bauer;Jeannette Mueller;J. Ortiz
XoSoft （www.xosoft.eu）项目由欧盟地平线2020框架计划资助，旨在开发下半身软外骨骼，以帮助行动不便的成年人。XoSoft的概念是通过以用户为中心的迭代设计过程开发的，用户需求驱动技术创新。本文描述了在项目初始阶段进行的半结构化访谈研究，以确定与XoSoft概念的功能和设计相关的主要用户（PU）和次要用户（SU）需求。我们采访了15个单位和26个单位，探讨他们对移动辅助的需求、他们对移动辅助设备的经验和要求，以及他们对XoSoft概念的初步描述的意见。用户对他们在以下领域的需求提供了有价值的见解：设备的期望功能和优点、实用性、培训和支持、设计和美观以及成本。对于XoSoft概念，pu和su的意见大多是积极的，并且强调了许多有价值的设计考虑。这项研究的结果将为XoSoft的设计概要和技术规范提供信息，并将帮助开发该概念的alpha原型。我们的研究结果也将为所有参与移动辅助设备研究和开发的人提供证据基础，通过向用户发出声音并描述他们对此类设备的需求/愿望。
The XoSoft (www.xosoft.eu) project -- funded under the European Union's Horizon 2020 framework programme -- aims to develop a lower body soft exoskeleton to assist adults with mobility impairments. The XoSoft concept is being developed via an iterative user centered design process, with user requirements driving technical innovations. This paper describes a semi-structured interview study undertaken in the initial stages of the project to determine Primary User (PU) and Secondary User (SU) requirements in relation to the function and design of the XoSoft concept. Fifteen PUs and 26 SUs were interviewed to explore their needs for mobility assistance, their experiences and requirements of mobility-related assistive devices, and their opinions on an initial portrayal of the XoSoft concept. Users provided valuable insights into their requirements in the following domains: desired functions and benefits of a device, practicability, training and support, design and aesthetics, and costs. Opinions of PUs and SUs of the XoSoft concept were largely positive, and a number of valuable design considerations were highlighted. The findings of this study will inform the design brief and technical specifications for XoSoft, and will assist the development of an alpha-prototype of the concept. Our results will also contribute to the evidence base available to all involved in the research and development of assistive devices for mobility, by giving voice to users and describing their needs/ wants in relation to such devices.