Robotic assistance for aged people

Abstract

Welfare robot technology to assist aged persons is presented. The tea serving robot can carry a cup of tea according to human instructions. The suspended-from-ceiling type tea serving robot requires no installation area since the robot hand is suspended from the ceiling of a house. The standing-on-floor type tea serving robot can be easily moved due to its rod structure which is equipped with a three directional drive mechanism and a robot hand. The idea for the standing-on-floor type robot came from a drip transfusion stand in hospitals. Two types of robots which assist in walking and moving up-and-down stairs were also developed. Both types use a handrail of a house to assist aged persons. The stick type robot can assist in walking and moving up-and-down stairs using tires and rubber belts. The biped type robot can assist using a structure with two legs.