Development and methodology for the formal evaluation of the Neil Squire Foundation robotic-assistive appliance

摘要

It is expected that an appropriate robotic appliance can play a major role in providing long periods of independence, which in turn will lead to improved quality of life, for people who are severely physically limited. As part of its research programme over the past several years the Neil Squire Foundation has been developing a workstation-based robotic assistive appliance (RAA) for use by such persons. We feel that robotic aids initially will have their most profound impact when applied in a vocational environment. Although other rehabilitation researchers have similar interests there is a great need for the utility of robots in these environments to be more fully substantiated and assessed. A formal evaluation process currently is under way in an attempt to quantify and to understand the cost/benefit results of using the RAA in office situations.