Automatic Positioning of Communication Devices and other Essential Equipment for People with Mobility Restrictions

行动受限且上肢不能使用的人依靠他人来定位他们所依赖的健康、沟通、生产力和一般福祉的对象。该项目开发的技术通过在没有其他人干预的情况下对用户做出响应，直接增加了用户的独立性。由所提出的技术产生的独立性允许用户执行与自我护理和通信相关的活动。 眼睛跟踪和头部跟踪访问语音设备、平板电脑或计算机需要非常特定的定位。如果用户相对于设备的位置在狭窄的操作窗口内没有精确对准，则设备将不再检测到眼睛或头部，从而使设备不可操作。自动定位技术使用计算机视觉和机器人定位来自动将设备移动到可用位置。 该系统无需他人协助即可移动，确保用户能够持续进行通信。在一般应用中，该技术可以针对用户身体的任何区域定位相关设备，例如用于水合或用于电动轮椅控制的头部阵列。 自动定位产品的研发将通过以用户为中心、迭代设计和面向制造的设计来完成。来自残疾人、他们的家庭成员、治疗师和辅助技术专业人员的投入定义了技术的功能要求，并指导了技术的发展。在整个技术开发过程中，原型迭代被演示和用户测试，提供反馈以推进设计。可制造性设计影响着优化产品线、确保高质量和交付具有成本效益的产品的结果。 第1阶段的目的是证明以下方面的可行性：1）运动和控制算法; 2）面部跟踪算法和逻辑，以维持设备定位; 3）与商业眼动跟踪设备软件开发工具包（SDK）集成。第2阶段的目标包括技术、可用性和可制造性目标，以开发产品用于商业化。软件开发推进了计算机视觉能力，以识别面部表情和手势。新的传感器模块用作手势开关或面部跟踪器。 App开发提供用户界面、远程监控和技术支持。按比例缩小的致动器和封闭的三自由度对准模块的设计降低了形状因子，允许更小的占地面积的应用。由具有不同诊断和最终用途的人进行严格的用户测试将确保产品满足一系列需求并且易于使用。测试涉及专业人员和家庭成员，以评估设置，功能和定制的容易程度。扩大的用户测试将调查和衡量结果和对他们的独立性，获得和健康的影响。原型工具和设计的成本效益的制造将生产单位的用户和监管测试，并最终销售。

People with mobility restrictions and limited to no upper extremity use depend on others to position the objects that they rely upon for health, communication, productivity, and general well-being. The technology developed in this project directly increases users’ independence by responding to them without another person’s intervention. The independence resulting from the proposed technology allows a user to perform activities related to self-care and communication. Eye tracking and head tracking access to speech devices, tablets, or computers requires very specific positioning. If the user’s position relative to the device are not aligned precisely, within a narrow operating window, the device will no longer detect the eyes or head, rendering the device inoperable. Auto-positioning technology uses computer vision and robotic positioning to automatically move devices to a usable position. The system moves without assistance from others, ensuring the user has continual access to communication. In a generalized application, the technology can target any area of the user’s body to position relevant equipment, such as for hydration or a head array for power wheelchair control. Research and development of the automatic positioning product will be accomplished through user-centered, iterative design, and design for manufacturing. Input from people with disabilities, their family members, therapists, and assistive technology professionals define the functional requirements of the technology and guide its evolution. Throughout technical development, prototype iterations are demonstrated and user-tested, providing feedback to advance the design. Design for manufacturability influences the outcomes to optimize the product pipeline, ensure high quality and deliver a cost effective product. Phase 1 Aims demonstrate the feasibility of 1) movement and control algorithms 2) face tracking algorithms and logic to maintain device positioning and 3) integration with commercial eye tracking device software development kits (SDK). Phase 2 Aims include technical, usability, and manufacturability objectives leading to development of a product for commercialization. Software development advances computer vision capabilities to recognize facial expressions and gestures. A new sensor module serves as a gesture switch or face tracker. App development provides the user interface, remote monitoring and technical support. Design of scaled down actuators and an enclosed three degree of freedom alignment module reduces the form factor, allowing for smaller footprint applications. Rigorous user testing by people with different diagnoses and end uses will ensure the product addresses a range of needs and is easy to use. Testing involves professionals and family members to evaluate ease of set-up, functionality, and customization. Extended user testing will investigate and measure outcomes and effects on their independence, access and health. Prototype tooling and design for cost-effective manufacturing will produce units for user and regulatory testing, and eventual sale.