Customized Interfaces for Assistive Technology

该项目旨在开发一种新型的计算机界面，以基于视觉的交互范例为中心，并使用一系列全景传感器和智能控制器来增强人类功能，为残疾用户提供辅助技术。这种接口的目标是使肢体残疾(如肢体受损、瘫痪或震颤)的人能够克服与使用嵌入式计算机(如轮椅、家用和办公电子设备以及带有传统输入设备的机器人辅助设备)访问计算机和产品相关的困难。目标是创建框架、体系结构、科学算法以及增强的硬件和软件，以促进(A)交互；(B)控制和任务；以及(C)计算机和计算机控制的智能设备的编程。有两组主要的研究问题需要解决：(A)开发新的、灵活的、便携的、可适应的界面，使身体残疾的用户能够通过触摸和感觉与计算机和计算机控制的设备交互；(B)通过结合廉价的传感器和控制器以及一套用于计算机中介控制的算法和软件来增强人的能力。这项研究将产生下一代界面，供用户与计算机和机器人助手交互，更广泛地说，与带有嵌入式控制器的设备交互。虽然目前的目标是开发使用智能轮椅作为测试产品的基本框架、方法和算法，但基本思想将适用于更广泛的产品。

This project seeks to develop a novel class of computer interfaces centered on a vision-based interaction paradigm, and human augmentation using a range of panoramic sensors and intelligent controllers to provide assistive technology to disabled users. The goal of such interfaces is to enable people with physical disabilities such as impaired limbs, paralysis, or tremors to overcome difficulties associated with accessing computers and products with embedded computers such as wheelchairs, household and office electronic equipment, and robotic aids with traditional input devices. The goal is to create the framework, architecture, scientific algorithms, and augmentative hardware and software to facilitate (a) interaction; (b) control and tasking; and (c) programming of computers and computer-controlled smart devices. There are two main sets of research problems that need to be solved: (a) the development of novel, flexible, portable, adaptable interfaces that allow users with physical disabilities to interact with computers and computer controlled devices by touching and feeling; and (b) human augmentation via a combination of inexpensive sensors and controllers, along with a set of algorithms and software for computer mediated control. This research will result in the next generation of interfaces for users to interact with computers and robot assistants, and more generally, devices with embedded controllers. Although the immediate goal is to develop the basic framework, methods, and algorithms using the smart wheelchair as a test product, the basic ideas will be applicable to a wider range of products.