PAPER PRESENTATION
Please note that the paper session schedule is subject to changes without any notification.
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| Paper Session A1–Mobility Aids & Seating Rm 3.1 Day 1 – 23 April 2009 (THURSDAY) 8:30AM – 10:30AM |
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| Session | Description |
| 8:30AM – 8:45AM | A1–1 SmartGuide System to Assist Visually Impaired People in a University Environment Zhi Heng Tee, Li-Minn Ang, Kah Phooi Seng, Jia Hao Kong, Ricky Lo, Ming Yeang Khor University of Nottingham, Malaysia Abstract
This paper presents a caregiver monitoring system for assisting visually impaired people. The objective of this system is to assist blind and low vision people to walk around independently and safely in a university environment by providing speech guidance on their current location and navigation information on how to move to a particular location. Full text: PDF (348 kB) |
| 8:45AM – 9:00AM | A1–2 Design and Development of a Navigation Assistance System for the Visually Impaired J. Zhang, S. K. Ong, Y. C. Nee National University of Singapore, Singapore Abstract
In this paper, the design of a navigation assistance system for the visually impaired is discussed, and the development of such a prototype system is presented. The motivation of this research is to develop a navigation system without the necessity of continuous user localization. Navigational information is only provided when necessary at decision-making locations. Absolute spatial information is stored for these locations, and ZigBee technology is applied for wireless data communication between the location node and the user module. Infrared, computer vision, and inertial technologies are applied in the system to transform the absolute spatial information into user-centric destination orientation data. Full text: PDF (119 kB) |
| 9:00AM – 9:15AM | A1–3 Adapting Motorbikes for Independent Use by People with Disability Jesse Owens University of Alaska Anchorage, USA Abstract
In much of the world motorbikes are the dominant means of transportation. In the developing world motorbikes are often the only form of motorized transportation affordable to the majority of the population. Unfortunately this method of transportation has not been widely exploited anywhere in the world for use by people with severe mobility impairments, especially those who must use wheelchairs. To provide affordable transport for a wide range of mobility-impaired people I have developed an inexpensive sidecar adaptation for motorbikes, capable of transporting a wheelchair user (Figure 1). This adaptation is referred to as the SideScooter. The SideScooter can be operated independently with hand controls from the sidecar or from the motorbike seat, depending on the needs of the operator. Given the vast number of motorbikes in the world and the scarcity of independent transportation for wheelchair users this device has the potential to improve the quality of life for many disabled people in developing as well as the more affluent regions of the world. Full text: PDF (513 kB) |
| 9:15AM – 9:30AM | A1–4 Low-cost Stereo Vision System for Supporting the Visually Impaired's Walk Thanathip Limna, Pichaya Tandayya, Nikom Suvanvorn Prince of Songkla University, Thailand Abstract
This paper presents an obstacle detection system for the visually impaired to use with a walking stick. The system in this work can find obstacles applying the depth discontinuities Pixel-to-Pixel (P2P) stereo algorithm which is one of the Intensity-based Stereo Matching (ISM) techniques in stereo vision that can find objects with featureless surface such as whiteboard, door, etc. However, the ISM technique is time consuming and not fast enough for real-time usage. Applying parallel computing using Message Passing Interface (MPI) helps reduce the computing time and enable real-time usage. In this work, we estimate the distance between objects and the visually impaired by applying the V-disparity. Our system can accurately detect objects within the range of 5 meters using 12-centimeter based-line low-cost webcams. Full text: PDF (138 kB) |
| 9:30AM – 9:45AM | A1–5 A Novel Design and Development on Bioimpedance-Based Wheelchair Control Yunfei Huang, Pornchai Phukpattaranont, Booncharoen Wongkittisuksa, Sawit Tanthanuch Prince of Songkla University, Thailand Abstract
This article presents a novel design and development on bioimpedance-based wheelchair control for the disabled people and the elderly. We use three electrodes to measure two channels of bioimpedance from the trapezius muscle. Bioimpedance changes when there is a movement in the segment of trapezius muscle. We can classify six types of motions resulting in six operation capabilities for wheelchair control based on six types of shoulder movements, i.e. left shoulder up, right shoulder up, and both shoulder up for short time and long time. Our system is composed of the modified Howland current bridge circuit, which supplies the 0.5 mA ac current to the measurement system at the frequency of 50 kHz. NI PCI-6250 DAQ board was adopted to collect the data and Labview 8.2 was used to implement the signal processing and control system. Algorithms applied in the system are an automatic threshold value adjustment, which adapt its value to the measured signal. Pump value detection is used to detect the unexpected large change of the signal to avoid the wrong operation. Results indicate that the change of signal according to the shoulder movement is very stable. Moreover, we can use the shoulder movement to control LED on Labview 8.2 with an accuracy of 100%. Full text: PDF (96 kB) |
| 9:45AM – 10:00AM | A1–6 Electric Motor Based Head Controller for Power Wheelchairs with Joy Stick Input Prapon Jitkreeyarn, Niyom Nulek, Kanokvate Tungpimolrut, Nattapon Chayopitak National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, Thailand Abstract
In this paper, a design of a head controller and an adapting unit for interfacing with a power wheelchair is presented. The proposed controller is based on a servo mechanism of stepper motors, which provide motion in the x- and y-axis to actuate a modified joystick-controlled power wheelchair. The technical design aspects of the proposed head controller, adapting unit as well as the microcontroller implementation are discussed. Full text: PDF (215 kB) |
| 10:00AM – 10:15AM | A1–7 Performance Evaluation Method of Alternating Pressure Air Mattresses Using FSA Pressure Mapping System Pasu Sirisalee, Danu Prommin, Pataravit Rukskul National Metal and Materials Technology Center, Thailand Abstract
Pressure ulcers are among the most common complication found in bed-ridden patients. In Thailand, Alternating Pressure Air Mattresses (APAMs) have been used both in hospitals and home settings to prevent pressure ulcers. Various types of APAMs are commercially available at a variety of prices and features. The performance of these APAMs is still questionable to the users. Pressure Relief Index (PRI) is a promising indicator that can be used to compare the performance of APAMs. This paper presents a simple procedure to evaluate the performance of APAMs based on the concept of PRI by using FSA pressure mapping system. This procedure can be used to relatively compare the performance of APAMs and assist the users in justifying the cost-effectiveness of APAMs. Full text: PDF (179 kB) |
| 10:15AM – 10:30AM | A1–8 Development Issues of Seating Systems and A proposed Framework for a Therapeutic Seat Yaqun Wu, Yoke San Wong, Han Tong Loh National University of Singapore. Singapore Abstract
Prolonged sitting duration can have an adverse effect on elderly people, especially those with limited mobility and sensation. It usually results in many medical problems and complexities. Pressure ulcers have got most concerned as its prevalence, harm and high cost for treatment. Various seating systems have been developed to enhance functional ability, provide protection from tissue breakdown (pressure ulcers) and relieve the concentrated interface pressure for these patients. Air inflated cushion has been evaluated and verified to be efficient in pressure management and is adaptive for other functional extensions. Some key issues in developing effective air-inflated cushions are identified in this paper, including the interface pressure, sitting conditions discrimination, inflation pressure, alternating pressure and some other problems. In addition, efforts made in these aspects and some novel achievements are summarized. Furthermore, the framework of a Computer Controlled Adjustable Seat System (CCASS) is proposed for the study on therapeutic air inflated cushion development. Specifically the CCASS adopts a multiple air cell structure with sensing system and can serve as a research tool to identify the various seating factors for the design of a therapeutic seat. The general design and development process of an intelligent air cushion will also be briefly introduced, and the main design idea was validated with prototype testing. Full text: PDF (174 kB) |