Gestural Interfaces and Robotics for Rehabilitation

描述（由申请人提供）：这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目探讨了使用手势界面技术和交互式机器人技术促进脑瘫儿童运动发育和功能移动的可行性。脑瘫等身体损伤会严重影响儿童正常运动模式的发育。脑瘫是17岁及以下儿童最常见的三种身体损伤之一，在美国，每1000例活产婴儿中约有2例。一家位于马里兰州大学公园的工程、咨询和产品开发公司，该技术使用一种名为“CosmoBotTM”的儿童友好型机器人，该机器人由适合于个人需要的各种接口控制，而不考虑物理限制。孩子通过手势和语音激活来控制机器人。手势可以包括伸手按按钮、操作操纵杆或通过身体运动激活可穿戴传感器。孩子可以播放和记录声音和运动命令，并可以在编程游戏的背景下与机器人互动。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界面技术和交互式机器人与3-10岁的儿童，诊断为脑瘫，谁接受门诊治疗的山。马里兰州的华盛顿儿科医院。目的是（a）选择合适的姿势接口传感器与脑瘫儿童的机器人进行互动，同时满足他们的治疗目标的上肢运动范围，力量，并提高功能能力;和（B）评估CosmoBot TM在治疗过程中的可用性，有效性和吸引力的儿童的可行性。第一阶段将测试使用CosmoBot TM促进物理或职业治疗干预的技术可行性，评估包括（1）治疗师、家长和儿童的接受程度，以及（2）促进上肢运动的儿童-机器人互动。作为干预和功能结局评估的实际使用将在II期研究中进行测试。

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.