Promoting Ambulation and Object Manipulation in Persons with Multiple Handicaps through the Use of a Robot

Abstract

A robot was used with a man and a woman affected by blindness, motor disabilities, and mental retardation. The robot was to assist these subjects during their ambulation and allow them to reach a couch (on which to sit) and to transport objects. The data showed that both subjects learned to use the robot, succeeded in transporting and putting away objects, and achieved independent ambulation times of over 22 and 20 min. per session. Staff personnel found the situation in which the subjects were busy with the robot preferable to situations in which the robot was not available.