DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN ASSISTIVE ROBOTIC MANIPULATION EVALUATION TOOL (ARMET)
Hongwu Wang1, 2, Joshua Chung1, 2, Brandon Petrouskie4, Dan Ding1, 2, Annmarie Kelleher1, 2, 3, Rosemarie Cooper1, 3, Rory A Cooper1, 2
1Dept. of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
2Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
3Center of Assistive Technology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
4College of Science and Engineering, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
ABSTRACT
More than 7.7 million Americans have a disability that limits their ability to self-care, and more than 150,000 Americans would benefit from the use of assistive robotic manipulators (ARMs). The lack of a standardized tool to evaluate the effects of ARMs is one of the key factors holding back robotic arms from more common assistive technology use. This paper presents the design and development of a performance-based observation tool, the Assistive Robotic Manipulator Evaluation Tool (ARMET), to measure the functional performance and effects of ARMs. During the design and development of this tool, we focused on a user-participatory approach by involving end users, clinicians, and researchers. Meaningful and feasible tasks for the ARMs were identified with focus group studies. Prototype ARMET task boards and modules were built in accordance with International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) with varied complexities. Feedback from 5 end users and 6 clinicians/researchers were incorporated into the final ARMET.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The material used for this study was funded by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation (#278966), the NSF ASPIRE Grant # 1262670 and the VA Center of Excellence on Wheelchairs and Related Rehabilitation Engineering (# B6789C).