Gestural Interfaces and Robotics for Rehabilitation

描述(申请人提供)：这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目考察了使用手势接口技术和互动机器人来促进脑瘫儿童的运动发育和功能活动的可行性。身体损伤，如脑瘫，会严重影响儿童正常运动模式的发展。脑性瘫痪是17岁及以下儿童最常见的三种身体障碍之一，在美国，每1000例活产儿中约有2例脑瘫。该技术由马里兰州大学公园的工程、咨询和产品开发公司AnthroTronix，Inc.开发，使用了一种名为“CosmoBotTM”的儿童友好型机器人，由各种接口控制，以适应个人需求，而不受身体限制。孩子们通过手势和语音激活来控制机器人。手势可能包括伸手按下按钮，操作操纵杆，或者通过身体运动激活可穿戴传感器。孩子可以玩和记录声音和移动命令，并可以在编程游戏的背景下与机器人互动。该机器人允许孩子与他或她的环境互动，给孩子一种控制感。此外，机器人模仿动作和语音，为学习提供反馈和动力。 拟议的项目旨在评估手势接口技术和互动机器人技术，这些儿童年龄在3-10岁之间，被诊断为脑瘫，他们在Mt.马里兰州的华盛顿儿科医院。目标是(A)为脑瘫儿童选择合适的手势界面传感器，以便在满足其上半身活动范围、力量和改善功能能力的治疗目标的同时与机器人互动；以及(B)从可用性、有效性和对儿童的吸引力方面评估CosmoBotTM在治疗期间的可行性。第一阶段将测试使用CosmoBotTM促进物理或职业治疗干预的技术可行性，评估方法包括(1)治疗师、家长和儿童的接受度，以及(2)促进上肢运动的儿童与机器人的互动。作为一种干预和功能结果评估的实际使用将在第二阶段研究中进行测试。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project examines the feasibility of using gestural interfaces technology and interactive robotics to facilitate motor development and functional mobility of children with cerebral palsy. Physical impairments such as cerebral palsy can significantly impact a child's development of normal motor patterns. Cerebral palsy is one of the three most common physical impairments for children of ages 17 and under, with approximately 2 out of 1000 cases per live births in the U.S. Developed by AnthroTronix, Inc., an engineering, consulting, and product development company in College Park, MD., the technology uses a child friendly robot, named "CosmoBotTM'', controlled by various interfaces adapted to individual needs, regardless of physical limitations. The child controls the robot via gestures and voice activation. Gestures may include reaching for a button, operating a joystick, or activating wearable sensors through body movement. The child can play and record sound and movement commands and can interact with the robot in the context of programmed games. The robot allows the child to interact with his or her environment, giving the child a sense of control. In addition, the robot imitates movements and speech, providing feedback and motivation for learning. The proposed project is designed to evaluate gestural interface technology and interactive robotics with children of ages 3-10, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, who receive outpatient therapy at the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital in Maryland. Objectives are (a) to select appropriate gestural interface sensors for children with cerebral palsy to interact with the robot while meeting their therapeutic goals for upper body range of motion, strength, and improving functional abilities; and (b) to evaluate the feasibility of CosmoBotTM during therapy in terms of its usability, effectiveness, and appeal to the child. Phase I will test the technical feasibility of using CosmoBotTM to contribute to the physical or occupational therapy intervention, as evaluated by (1) acceptance by the therapist, parent, and child, and (2) child-robot interactions which facilitate upper limb movements. Actual use as an intervention and functional outcome assessment will be tested in Phase II research.