This Wearable Technology Will Help Wheelchair Users

wearable technologyAlso known as wearables, they are part of a paradigm shift. Device miniaturization From computers that took up entire rooms, to smartwatches that now crowd our wrists, and soon to mixed reality glasses that are creating new ways to interact with the world. One of the areas that promises to have the most significant impact is that of disability. A new prototype from the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

This article describes:

What is wearable technology? ?

Wearables usually refer to various electronic devices. with computing capabilities, to amplify the user’s ability to monitor and process vital signs. For example, fitness wristbands that track heart rate and steps are considered wearable technology. Even if you carry it around, tablets don’t fall into the category of wearables.

Wearables, which come in many varieties, typically meet all or most of these requirements.

• reduced size
• Ease of interaction with users
• discreet presence
• Ability to generate alerts
• Ability to communicate with other devices
• sensor integration

Wearables for the Disabled: MagTrack Prototype

Looking at the above characteristics, we can see that wearable technology is particularly suitable for people with disabilities. For example, the fact that a person in a wheelchair can wear one of these devices in a non-intrusive manner and have the potential for interaction makes them excellent candidates for: assistive technologyA MagTrack case study bears this out.

MagTrack’s research has made it possible to test a prototype of wearable technology adapted for people with quadriplegia. His MagTrack research, conducted in collaboration with the Brooks Rehabilitation Center and the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States, enabled the testing of prototype wearable technology adapted for quadriplegic individuals. The collaborative results of doctors, physiotherapists and engineers give hope to wheelchair users. For them, mobility technology is far more important than anyone else.

The study, published in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, was conducted with 17 volunteers who tested the MagTrack HTC (head-tongue controller). Users wore goggle-like devices with sensors that detected facial and head movements. This was complemented by a tracker temporarily attached to the tongue with biocompatible glue.

continue, data processing and machine learning system Used to interpret signals and assign them to commands. This last aspect gives the system great versatility as each user can customize the platform according to their needs, such as controlling a power wheelchair or moving a cursor across the screen.

Following the research, the prototype was refined to allow users to automatically switch between wheelchair and control of various electronic devices. The next step is to take it out of the lab and Start testing in a quadriplegic’s home.

Other examples of wearable technology

Of course, wearable technology has many other uses. These are some of the areas where we see the most significant progress.

• under construction: Construction is a sector with a high rate of work-related injuries due to physical demands. Using wearables that can detect dangerous situations and alert the user could solve this problem.
• For your health: One of the hottest applications these days is the new generation of smart pajamas with sensors that monitor the sick at home and in hospitals. We also recently talked about an app for smartwatches that alerts people who are deaf.
• For exercise: One of the most popular uses of wearables is monitoring heart rate in sports, counting daily steps, and generating exercise statistics.
• As a controller: In the future, wearables in the form of wireless rings could act as controllers for mixed reality applications by detecting finger movements.
• Elderly care: Seniors can also utilize wearables to communicate and keep medical staff updated on their health status.

In addition to developing these wearable technology applications that rely heavily on technological miniaturization capabilities, new avenues are being explored to power these devices during everyday use, as you can read in this article. It has been.

sauce