Technology and Disability - Volume 18, issue 4

Authors: Berger-Vachon, Christian

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18401

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 163-165, 2006

Authors: Chau, Tom | Eaton, Ceilidh | Lamont, Andrea | Schwellnus, Heidi | Tam, Cynthia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Computer-mediated, augmented environments endow the real physical surroundings with additional properties or information. We present two augmented environment systems developed at the largest paediatric rehabilitation hospital in Canada. One enables children with motor impairments to create music while the other facilitates the relearning of community mobility skills in adolescents with acquired brain injury. We describe system features, results of preliminary studies with selected client populations and argue that further investigation of augmented environments as assistive technologies for paediatric rehabilitation is warranted.

Keywords: Intelligent systems, assistive technology for children

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18402

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 167-171, 2006

Authors: Herrera, Gerardo | Jordan, Rita | Vera, Lucia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Virtual Reality (VR) has been claimed to provide a particularly facilitatory environment for people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in that it offers structure, opportunities for repetition, affective engagement and, control of the learning environment. Virtual reality shares the advantages of computer-based learning, and has the additional advantage of making it more likely that the results will generalise to real-word settings, in that it is a simulation of them. For concept development and imagination training, VR offers its exclusive advantage of making it possible to explicitly show imaginary/magic transformations of how an object can act as if it were a …different one, which is useful for training in both abstract concepts and imagination understanding. This paper reviews the relevant issues that need to be addressed when designing and experimentally assessing a tool for this purpose, and concludes with the results of the more relevant research outcomes obtained in this field. Show more

Keywords: Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Virtual Reality, imagination, play

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18403

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 173-180, 2006

Authors: Sehaba, Karim | Courboulay, Vincent | Estraillier, Pascal

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this paper we propose a system architecture suited observe and analyze user's behaviours in the scope of educative games. The system concerns the observation of autistic child's and enables us to draw conclusions related to her/his behaviour and provide in real time, in personalized way, adequate activities, by taking into account the expert's directives. Our proposition is based on the optimization of the extraction of information from heterogeneous data depending on the context. We have applied our approach to a software environment realized for children with autism according to the needs of a psychiatric team.

Keywords: Interactive system, architecture, educative games, analysis of behaviour, Autism

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18404

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 181-188, 2006

Authors: Rezzoug, Nasser | Gorce, Philippe | Hoppenot, Philippe | Colle, Etienne

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this paper, we present a learning based method for the definition of the ARPH mobile platform configuration during grasping. Based on the principle of semi autonomy, the proposed scheme uses information provided by the user to help him(her) during the tedious task of manually coordinating the robot motions. From a crude posture provided by the user a reinforcement scheme is used to optimize the kinematic configuration of the MANUS robot to align the gripper with the axis of the object and grasp it. Simulation results illustrate the capability of the proposed method.

Keywords: Mobile platform, navigation, grasping, semi-autonomy, neural network

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18405

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 189-194, 2006

Authors: Feuser, Johannes | Ivlev, Oleg | Gräser, Axel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Mapped Virtual Reality (MVR) is defined as an extreme simplified, but in the same time reflecting the main spatial correlations, representation of the real objects within a robot workspace, including humans and robot links. The MVR can be effectively used for online distance observation during the operation of service robots in an unstructured environment – distances can be calculated instead of measured in the real world. To update the robot posture only information from internal position sensors is needed. So the task of external sensors (e.g. cameras) can be reduced to the detection of new objects, which have to be …mapped into the MVR as simple shapes, covering the real objects, instead of observing all obstacles in the workspace and measuring distances. Such task distribution increases the safety of manipulation by reduction of technical complexity. Show more

Keywords: Dexterous manipulation, online distance observation, distance calculation

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18406

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 195-200, 2006

Authors: Such, María José | Barberà, Ricard | Poveda, Rakel | Belda-Lois, Juan-Manuel | Gómez, Amelia | López, Amparo | Cort, José M. | Sánchez, Miguel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: IBV is working in the emerging area of Emotional Engineering with application in the development of technology for the user wellness. A first prospective analysis is made in the field of smart house technologies for elderly people focused on clarifying the role of emotions in the interaction user-environment mediated by technology. The study was undertaken with elderly people within the age segment from 40 to 75 years old with no pathology that could affect cognitive processes. As a result, a clear emotional dimension is identified as design barrier that makes smart house environments be understood far from redeeming lack of …abilities due to ageing. This paper also highlights the challenge of developing methodological approaches customized for the field of emotional design in interactive products. Show more

Keywords: Smart house, interfaces, user design, emotional engineering, independent living

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18407

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 201-206, 2006

Authors: Glauert, J.R.W. | Elliott, R. | Cox, S.J. | Tryggvason, J. | Sheard, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The VANESSA system provides speech-driven assistance for eGovernment and other transactions in British Sign Language (BSL). The system allows speech or text input over a limited subject domain to be translated into sign language, which is then signed for clients using an avatar. The avatar animation is generated synthetically. VANESSA also enables text communication by means of computer keyboards and an interface similar to that used by internet chat room software. The system can be easily modified to translate into other spoken languages, and multiple updates to the content are possible.

Keywords: Sign language, synthetic signing, eGovernment, translation, avatar

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18408

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 207-216, 2006

Authors: Niniss, Hafid | Inoue, Takenobu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This survey addresses the issue of assessment of a person's driving skills to operate a powered wheelchair. Usually, the acquisition of a new wheelchair implies several evaluation tests to fit the wheelchair's configuration to the specificities of the user's disabilities. Usually, such tests are made in the actual world and based mainly on qualitative observations. Virtual Reality has been applied to transpose the actual tests into a Virtual World, and define methods completed with quantitative criteria to put into evidence the ability that a person has to drive an electric wheelchair. To do this we propose a comparative survey that …implies tests made in a virtual world to investigate the differences between experienced users with disabilities, and unskilled able-bodied ones. The results of the tests allowed to define two new quantitative criteria related to the joystick position xJ (along its X axis). One is based on the amplitude of the xJ signal and the other on its Power Spectral Density. Although both of them contain valuable information, the association of the proposed criteria appeared to be more efficient to identify the skilled and unskilled subjects. Show more

Keywords: Electric wheelchair, assessment, driving skills, simulation, virtual reality

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18409

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 217-226, 2006

Authors: Puret, Arnaud | Archambault, Dominique | Monmarché, Nicolas | Slimane, Mohamed

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We present in this paper a new game generator that aims at facilitating educators to provide new games scenarios to young visually disabled children. A game scenario description is stored in a XML file without any necessary knowledge of this format from the educator. Moreover, scenarios could be easily shared via a web server.

Keywords: Tactile interface, computer game, game authoring tool, blind, visually disabled

DOI: 10.3233/TAD-2006-18410

Citation: Technology and Disability, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 227-236, 2006