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

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将允许儿童通过使用一种新的、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手写能力。该提案将解决下列智力挑战：首先，将开发一个成本低于1,500美元的低成本触觉工作站系统，使触觉成为一个实用系统，通过连接学校现有的计算机，使其成为一个可行且负担得起的系统；其次，将开发一套完全基于计算机的视觉运动技能课程软件，该软件将基于学校目前用于提高手写能力的标准工作表和书籍而开发；第三，将开发一种辅助技术的算法，以帮助儿童使用拟议工作站执行重复的运动技能任务，以改善手眼协调。一种名为共享控制的新范式？将识别儿童的参与程度，并在儿童参与视觉运动活动时自动调整力反馈。目前，任何疗法都不可能采用这种援助模式。最后，通过额外的研究，该系统可以扩展为具有正常发育和书写技能的儿童的标准书写训练器，甚至可能用于患有神经肌肉疾病和中风的成年人的康复。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是一种改进的方法，用于提供精细运动手训练的标准化课程，该方法利用已经批量生产的技术，不仅用于视觉运动整合(VMI)儿童，而且用于广泛的与手相关的训练。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。这项技术相对成熟，几乎可以肯定在3年内推向市场。尽管这项提议的主要目标是帮助书法不佳的儿童，但一旦其效果得到证明，这一系统有可能被所有儿童使用，即使是那些笔迹正常的儿童，并可能成为全国各地小学写作课程的一部分。在教育领域，除了书写，这个系统还可以用来教授K-12学生从学习绘画和雕刻到控制机械设备的技能。未来的工作还将导致一种系统，该系统可以帮助患有中风或各种神经疾病的成年人进行物理治疗。

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.