Despite quantifiable gains in motor function as a result of intensive upper limb rehabilitation using robotic devices, individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) still desire increased independence that requires improved hand function. We have designed a soft robotic glove that can assist in activities of daily living (ADL). The soft, flexible glove has cable-like tendons that run along the fingers on both the palm and back of hand.
Haptics in Education
This half-day panel workshop on the afternoon of June 6 will feature invited speakers and discussion on current implementations of haptics in all levels of education as a part of IEEE World Haptics 2017.
Rigid haptic devices enable humans to physically interact with virtual environments, and the range of impedances that can be safely rendered using these rigid devices is quantified by the Z-Width metric. Series elastic actuators (SEAs) similarly modulate the impedance felt by the human operator when interacting with a robotic device, and, in particular, the robot's perceived stiffness can be controlled by changing the elastic element's equilibrium position.
Advanced Motion Controls has provided motor drivers for use with the Haptic Paddles.
Many robots are composed of interchangeable modular components, each of which can be independently controlled, and collectively can be disassembled and reassembled into new configurations. When assembling these modules into an open kinematic chain, there are some discrete choices dictated by the module geometry; for example, the order in which the modules are placed, the axis of rotation of each module with respect to the previous module, and/or the overall shape of the assembled robot.