Low-Cost Assistive Technologies for Disabled People Using Open-Source Hardware and Software: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Disabled People deal with a series of barriers that limit their inclusion, empowerment, wellbeing, and role in society with a special emphasis in low and medium-income countries. One of these barriers is concerning the accessibility and affordability of assistive technologies (ATs) that help to enhance the quality of life of these persons. In this context, this systematic literature review (SLR) analyzes and describes how free and open-source hardware (OSHW) and open software (OSS) are employed in the design, development, and deployment of low-cost ATs. In the SLR process, different ATs were analyzed for disabilities such as visual, mobility, upper body, prostheses, hearing & speaking, daily living, and participation in society. The ATs were designed with diverse OSHW and OSS technologies such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, NVidia Jeston, OpenCV, YOLO, MobileNet, EEG and EMG signal conditioning devices, actuators, and sensors such as ultrasonic, LiDar, or flex. 809 studies were collected and analyzed from the database Web of Science, GitHub, and the specialized journals in OSHW HardwareX and the Journal of Open Hardware during the years 2013-2022. In the first part of the SLR, the bibliometric trends and topic clusters regarding the selected studies are described. Secondly, the ATs identified with open source technologies, e.g., sensor-based or computer vision-based, are described along with a complete state-ofart about these based on each disability recognized. Finally, the issues and challenges to this approach are explored including technical factors, documentation, government policies, and the inclusion of disabled people in open source co-creation. The purpose of this study is to inform practitioners, designers, or stakeholders about low-cost (frugal) ATs with OSHW and OSS, and thus promote their development, accessibility, and affordability, contributing to benefit the community of disabled people. INDEX TERMS Assistive technologies, disabled people, persons with disabilities, adaptive aids, open hardware, open-source hardware, open-source software, systematic literature review.

Usability Study to Promote Co-Creation Among People With Disabilities, Developers, and Makers With a Focus on the Assistive Technology Open Platform in Korea

“…The Open-source AT website approach improves the accessibility of assistive devices [6]. Recent developments include growing communities of open-source assistive devices influenced by Do-It-Yourself and Maker Movement activities [7]- [9]. Open-source assistive devices are prototypes based on Open-source Hardware and Open-source Software.…”

A Collaborative System Design for Avoiding and Removing the Unexpected Obstacles Encountered during Wheelchair Navigation

“…Governments and government agencies have made various advances in the field of policies and guidelines. For example, the United Nations (UN) strategy for the participation of persons with disabilities aims to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities by advocating for participation, universal design, accessibility, reasonable accommodation, and organizational cultures that support their development [4].…”

“…Assistive Technologies (ATs) play an important role in improving the quality of life, independence, and development of people with disabilities. ATs can be defined as any commercially purchased, modified, or adapted item, component, or system of products used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities [4].…”

Open-Source Designs for Distributed Manufacturing of Low-Cost Customized Walkers

“…In a recent review of adaptive aids for disabilities [43], although there are several open-source solutions for those in wheelchairs in the mobility disability section, there were no good options for those that require walkers. Walkers can be categorized into three main groups: standard static walkers, front-wheeled walkers, and rollators.…”