SBIR Phase I: Assisted Handwriting Training System: An Innovative Haptic Force Feedback Platform for Visual Motor Integration

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将允许孩子们通过使用一种新的、创新的基于触觉的书写训练技术来提高他们的视觉运动技能和书写能力。该提案将解决以下智力挑战：首先，开发一种成本低于1,500美元的低成本触觉工作站系统，使触觉成为一种实用的系统，通过插入学校现有的电脑，使其可行且负担得起；第二，一套完全基于计算机的视觉运动技能课程的软件将基于目前学校用于改善书写的标准工作表和书籍；第三，将开发一种辅助技术的算法，帮助儿童使用该工作站执行重复的运动技能任务，以提高手眼协调能力。一种新的范式叫做？共享控制?当孩子参与视觉运动活动时，能够识别孩子的参与程度并自动调整力反馈。这种辅助方式目前在任何治疗中都是不可能的。最后，这个系统可以通过额外的研究来扩展，作为一个标准的书写训练器，用于正常发育和书写技能的儿童，甚至可能用于患有神经肌肉疾病和中风的成年人的康复。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是一种提供精细手部运动训练标准化课程的改进方法，该方法利用了已经大规模生产的技术，不仅适用于视觉运动整合（VMI）儿童，还适用于广泛的手部相关训练。辅助书写训练系统提供了一个有趣的产品机会，根据公布的估计，潜在市场超过260亿美元。该技术相对成熟，几乎肯定可以在3年内推向市场。虽然该提案的主要目的是帮助书写能力差的孩子，但一旦其效果得到证明，该系统有可能被所有孩子使用，甚至是那些书写能力正常的孩子，并可能成为全国小学写作课程的一部分。在教育领域，除了写作，这个系统可以用来教K-12学生的技能，从学习绘画和雕刻，到控制机械设备。未来的工作也将导致一个系统，以帮助物理治疗成人中风或各种神经系统疾病。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will allow children to improve their visual motor skills and handwriting through the use of a new, innovative haptic-based handwriting training technology. The proposal will address the following intellectual challenges: First, a low cost haptic workstation system which costs below $1,500 will be developed making haptics a practical system, viable and affordable to schools by plugging into their existing computers; Second, a set of software for fully computer-based visual motor skills lessons will be developed based on standard worksheets and books currently used by schools for improving handwriting; Third, algorithms of an assistive technology will be developed to help children perform repeated motor skill tasks to improve hand-eye coordination using the proposed workstation. A new paradigm called ?shared control,? will recognize the level of participation by the child and automatically adjust the force feedback while the child participates in visual motor activities. This mode of assistance is not currently possible with any therapy. Finally, this system can be extended through additional study as a standard handwriting trainer for children with normal development and handwriting skills, and perhaps even for rehabilitation of adults who suffer from neuromuscular disorders and stroke.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is an improved method for delivering a standardized course of fine-motor hand training which leverages technology already in mass-production not only for children with Visual Motor Integration (VMI) but for a wide range of hand related trainings. The Assisted Handwriting Training system provides an interesting product opportunity with potential markets in excess of $26 billion based on published estimates. The technology is relatively mature and could almost certainly be brought to market within 3 years. Even though the primary goal of this proposal is to assist children with poor handwriting, once its efficacy is demonstrated, this system has the potential of being used by all children, even those with normal handwriting, and may become part of the writing curriculum in elementary schools all over the country. In the area of education, in addition to writing, this system can be used to teach K-12 students skills ranging from learning to paint and sculpt, to controlling mechanical devices. Future work will also lead to a system which assists physiotherapy sessions for adults with stroke or various neurological conditions.