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Design of automated systems for use as daily living aids by quadriplegics
Abstract
This research was an investigation into theoretical bases and implementation methods for appropriate user-system interfacing for daily living aids for quadriplegics. There were four portions of the project. The first portion was a survey of quadriplegics and attendants to gather anthropometric data on neck motions of quadriplegics, identify preferences of quadriplegics and attendants on potential tasks to automate and quantify perceptions of both groups on the quadriplegics' abilities. The second portion of this research was to develop descriptive statistics and perform statistical tests on the survey data. The third portion was to create the Functional Analysis Methodology for Accessability (FAMA), which was then used to provide descriptions of tasks identified as most important by the quadriplegics and attendants. The final portion of the research was to perform a cluster analysis of the tasks based on FAMA output. All data from each portion of the research project was then used to create design guidelines for daily living aid automation. This research showed that quadriplegics and attendants had substantially the same perceptions of quadriplegics' capabilities. Neck joint movements were found to be significantly different from the general population. Quadriplegics were able to accurately hit a target 0.50 inches in diameter 91% of the time. Sixteen tasks were identified for further analysis by FAMA. The FAMA methodology, based on the Air Force's Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing Definition (IDEF$\sb0$) methodology, identified mechanisms and controls for individual tasks taken from a keyword taxonomy consisting of 27 entries. Matrices of mechanisms and controls were used as inputs for cluster analysis of the 16 tasks in the fourth portion of this research. Two clusters were communication related, one feeding and one bed related. Communications tasks may be effectively automated through use of the recommended platform, an Apple MacIntosh II running AUX. This provides the processing power and software for iconographic interfacing and real-time graphics processing. Machinery technologies still represent a significant problem in capacity and cost.
Subject Area
Industrial engineering|Biomedical research|Occupational safety
Recommended Citation
Scheller, William L., "Design of automated systems for use as daily living aids by quadriplegics" (1989). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9013626.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9013626