A robotic walker that provides guidance

Outlook for the implementation of selected ambient assisted living concepts for panel building

“…Handlebars are required to support and stabilize the ambulatory devices and should be planned so that the user's hands can grip them firmly. The placement of the force sensors inside the handlebars results in maintaining a steady hold by the user and manipulates the robotic walker in a manner more consistent with contemporary roller-based walkers [12]. An example of the haptic interface is shown in Fig.…”

“…PAMM system concept [11] One important issue in constructing robotic walkers and mobile robot base platforms, equipped with two force-sensing handle bars, is shared control. The robot must be capable of providing navigation and guidance while maintaining a natural and predictable motion response [12]. It is essential to bind the control of two systems (an elderly human and a robotic walker) engaged in the task of navigation.…”

“…Due to the fact that the goals of human and robot may often misalign, the shared control system must determine whether the human or the machine cedes control. The two components enabling shared control are a haptic interface for capturing user intent and control software that binds the two systems [12].…”

“…The interface transforms the force applied by the user into the robot's motion [12]. The haptic interface is equipped with force sensors, embedded into the handlebar structure of the walker robot.…”

Human-Robot Interaction

“…Robots have also been designed to help users navigate through a nursing home [38,87]. The need for safety assessment for HRI systems designed for vulnerable user populations is a topic of growing importance as HRI systems are increasingly being developed toward users from such populations.…”