Ambulation, Object Manipulation, and Multiple Disabilities: Extending the Applicability of a Robot

Abstract

This study further tested the applicability of a robot with people with severe multiple disabilities. The robot was used to help two adults with blindness, deafness, motor disabilities, and low functioning levels ambulate and transport objects and enable them to reach a couch on which they could sit and put away the objects. Both adults learned to use the robot, succeeded in transporting and putting away objects, and achieved robot-assisted ambulation times of about 31 minutes per session.