Robotics and Virtual Reality:
A perfect marriage for motor control research and rehabilitation
|
James Patton, PhD * Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University 345 East Superior, Room 1406, Chicago, IL 60611 312-238-1277 (office) -3381(Admin. Assist.) -1232(Lab) -2208 (FAX)
|
Greg Dawe, MS Electronic Visualization Lab, University of Illinois, Chicago m/c 152, Rm. 2032 ERF 842 W. Taylor St., Chicago IL 60607 |
|
Chris Scharver, MS Electronic Visualization Lab, University of Illinois, Chicago m/c 152, Rm. 2032 ERF 842 W. Taylor St. Chicago IL 60607 |
Ferdinando Mussa-Ivaldi, PhD Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Physiology, & Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University 345 East Superior, Room 1406, Chicago, IL 60611 |
|
Robert Kenyon, PhD Electronic Visualization Lab, University of Illinois, Chicago m/c 152, Rm. 2032 ERF 842 W. Taylor St. Chicago IL 60607 |
Running Head: Robotics & Virtual Reality Submit to: Assistive Technology Filename: AssitiveTechArticle(ver.16).doc, 23 pages, printed 1/18/2007 |
The authors thank Xun Lou for his assistance in some of the computer science and William Townsend of Barrett Technologies for some of his input on robotic theory.
Abstract
This paper’s goal is to outline our motivations, progress, and future objectives for the development of a state-of-the-art device that allows humans to visualize and feel synthetic objects superimposed on the physical world. The programming flexibility of these devices allows for a variety of scientific questions to be answered in psychology, neurophysiology, rehabilitation, haptics, and automatic control. The benefits are most probable in rehabilitation of the brain injured, where the costs are high, therapist time is limited, and repetitive practice of movements has been shown to be beneficial. Moreover, beyond simple therapy that guides, strengthens or stretches, the technology affords a variety of exciting potential techniques that can combine our knowledge of the nervous system with the tireless, precise, and swift capabilities of a robot. Because this is a prototype, the system will also guide new experimental methods by probing quality levels that are necessary for future design cycles and related technology. Very important to the project is the early and intimate involvement of therapists and other clinicians in the design of software and its user interface. Inevitably, it should also lead the way to new modes of practice and to the commercialization of haptic/graphic systems.
Keywords
Human
Motor learning
Adaptation
Human-machine interface
Teaching
Neurorehabilitation