User Requirements of Robotic Autonomous Wheelchair in a Long-Term Care Setting

AgeLab, in collaboration with CSAIL’s Robotics, Vision, and Sensors Networks Group and The Boston Home to understand the user requirements and the optimal human machine interface for an autonomous wheelchair. The technology, developed by CSAIL, uses sensors to perceive the wheelchair's surroundings, a speech interface to interpret commands, a wireless device for room-level location determination, and motor-control software to effect the wheelchair's motion. The robotic wheelchair learns the layout of its environment (hospital, rehabilitation center, home, etc.) through a narrated, guided tour given by the user or the user's caregivers. CSAIL, AgeLab and The Boston Home researchers are seeking to understand how robotic applications, such as the autonomous wheelchair may improve the quality of life of frail and disabled as well reduce strain and time demand on formal caregivers in long-term care settings.