4^th World Congress on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence October 23-24, 2017 Osaka, Japan

Biography:

Qinggang Meng is a Reader in Robotics and Autonomous Systems with the Department of Computer Science, Loughborough University, UK. His current research interests include biologically and psychologically inspired learning algorithms and developmental robotics, robot learning and adaptation, autonomous vehicles/systems, multi-UAV/UGV cooperation, service and assistive robotics, situation awareness and decision making for driverless vehicles, verification and validation of autonomous systems, driver’s distraction detection, human motion analysis and activity recognition, activity pattern detection, pattern recognition, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning and computer vision.

Abstract:

Biography:

Andrew Weightman has expertise in the development of medical mechatronic and robotic systems with a strong emphasis on the use of user centered design techniques. The quality of his research has been recognized by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence. He has previously received a best paper award by Journal of Engineering Design 2010 and an Editor’s choice of the issue award from The Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Neurological disorders, including stroke and cerebral palsy are a large burden on society and negatively affect the individual. In the United Kingdom 150,000 people every year are affected by stroke, whilst cerebral palsy is the commonest form of severe physical disability in children affecting 2.08/1000 of live births. Neurological disorders often cause upper limb difficulties, which limit activity. The goal of rehabilitation is to improve the patients’ independence in activities of daily life and therefore quality of life. The paradigm of rehabilitation-robotic therapy for the upper limb involves a patient utilizing a robotic manipulandum and playing motivating games on a computer, which enables a greater intensity of useful therapeutic practice. Maciejasz et al (2014) identified over 120 systems for the rehabilitation of upper limb function after neurological impairment. What is not clear from the literature is has this technology been developed through user, in this case therapist and patient, involvement? Furthermore, what are the design requirements for a rehabilitation robot? It is widely acknowledged that the engagement of users in healthcare technology design leads to an increased likelihood of producing devices that are safe, usable and clinically effective.

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: We have undertaken a scoping review of the literature to identify the level of user engagement in the development of rehabilitation robotic devices for improving upper limb function in the neurologically impaired. We have identified several key themes.

Findings: We have identified fewer than 20 papers, which describe the design requirements of patients or therapists in relation to upper limb rehabilitation robotics. Analysis of the literature leads to the grouping of these requirements into safety and usability, recording of performance, movements and tasks promoted and individualized therapy.

Conclusion & Significance: There are a limited number of papers describing the design requirements for upper limb rehabilitation robotics. It may be that systems for upper limb rehabilitation are based on user requirements but this has not been communicated effectively. In order to ensure upper limb rehabilitation robotic systems are optimal more research should be conducted in this area. 

Biography:

Mathew Holloway has completed his education in Engineering and Design at Bath University (MEng), The Royal College of Art and Imperial College London (Joint Masters, MA and MSc). He has also been the founder of three high tech start-ups where he has taken his ideas into the market place, securing accreditation, sales and the trade sale of his last venture.

Abstract:

This paper focuses on the application of robotic technologies for the retrofit of thermal insulation under suspended timber floors. Across Northern Europe, there is a large proportion of older, hard to treat homes which remain cold and uncomfortable in winter due to the lack of adequate thermal insulation. In the UK alone, there are as many as 10 million homes with an uninsulated floor that can contribute as much as 40% of the draughts and 25% of the heat loss for a typical dwelling. Traditional methods require the floor to be lifted and insulation panels to be cut and fit by hand. This provides an excellent opportunity for a robotic device to remotely apply insulation in situ, without the hassle and expense of traditional methods. However, the application is particularly demanding as the physical attributes of underfloor voids are highly variable and access has to be achieved through small openings formed in the wall or floor. Once access has been achieved, the void space needs to mapped, navigated and the thermal insulation material applied in an appropriate manner. A review of mobile robotic platforms for this application was conducted before an innovative reconfigurable robotic solution was developed. The design of the resulting solution used a new approach for robotics that combines stage gate and agile product development methodologies, in order to increase the speed of development. The resulting robot is capable of spraying a typical underfloor void in approximately four hours, with reliable operation. To date over one hundred commercial installations have been completed indicating the robustness of the solution developed. The impact on the resident, building and energy usage has been assessed with data logging and calculation of heat transfer using ISO-13370 for selected sites to quantify the benefit for using robotics in this application.