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ATLAS

Assistive
Technology 
Laboratory
at
Stanford

 
 
Technology and design benefitting individuals with disabilities and older adults in the local community
January 30, 2016    
2 columns of images relating to assistive technology
Perspectives is the newsletter of the Stanford course,
Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

This issue invites you to attend the course's Assistive Technology Faire.

Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - now in its tenth year - that explores the design, development, and use of assistive technology that benefits people with disabilities and older adults. The schedule consists of semi-weekly classroom discussions; lectures by notable professionals, clinicians, and assistive technology users; tours of local medical, clinical, and engineering facilities; an assistive technology faire; and a film screening.

Next class session - Thursday, February 4th at 4:30pm (new starting time):

clip art of a faire


Assistive Technology Faire


Abstract: This event will provide an opportunity for students and community members to get an up-close look at a variety of devices and learn about available programs from product vendors and service agencies. Users of assistive technology products as well as small companies and agencies serving individuals with disabilities and older adults are encouraged to bring assistive technology devices to display, demonstrate, and discuss.

The Faire starts at 4:30pm on Thursday, February 4th just outside the classroom, Thornton 110.

Here are photos from last year's event.

Vendors:

photo of the LifeGlider walking aide

Life Glider™
Life Glider™ - Rob Karlovich
The Life Glider™ is an innovative walking aide with a unique hands-free support feature for people with balance and weight-bearing challenges. It enables users to stand and walk safely and comfortably for extended periods while engaged in everyday activities such cooking and grocery shopping.

photo of a child in a wheelchair and a service dog

Service Dog Training
Service Dog Tutor - Jean Cary and Service Dog Ranger
Service Dog Tutor adapts clients' own dogs to do specific service tasks for their owners. Clients include seniors and children who have mobility and balance challenges as well as cognitive disabilities.

photo of Digital Accelerator Ring and the Main Hand Brake

Digital Accelerator Ring and the Main Hand Brake
Kempf - Martine Kempf
The Digital Accelerator Ring and the Main Hand Brake are hand controls that can be installed on most cars with automatic transmissions to allow a person who has lost the use of both legs to drive with both hands on the steering wheel.

photo of Podna Rover

Podna Rover
Podna Designs - Elaine Levin
The Podna Rover is an innovative all-terrain mobility device for individuals who need additional support to maintain balance or stability while walking. The device offers confidence to outdoor travelers over gravel, uneven surfaces, and inclines. It features compliant wheels, a self-centering frame, a suspension to soak up bumps, and self-locking brakes.

photo of Whill wheelchair

Whill Wheelchair
Whill, Inc. - Chris Koyama
The Whill is an omnidirectional four-wheel-drive mobility device meant to give wheelchair users a sleek alternative to standard chairs, which many believe reinforce stereotypes of weakness or helplessness. The product recently received the Good Design Grand Award.

photo of eye

Eyefluence’s Eye-interaction Platform
Eyefluence - Peter Milford
Eyefluence’s eye-interaction platform provides technology that can be integrated into any head mounted device to realize the potential for wearable computing by connecting your brain to the internet through your eyes. Head-mounted displays equipped with Eyefluence's eye-interaction technology have the potential to expand human intelligence, enhance social interaction, and revolutionize entertainment.

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Beyond Exoskeletons - SRI's Wearable Exosuit Technologies
SRI International - Roy Kornbluh
SRI is developing wearable "exosuits" that can augment the musculoskeletal system for performance and strength enhancement and assistance to overcome or prevent damage from injury or disease. SRI's exosuit differs from exoskeletons by using new muscle-like actuation, comfortable and soft skin attachment, and electronically releasable spring elements to minimize mass, bulk, and noise. As part of DARPA's Warrior Web program, the technology is being applied to prevent and reduce musculoskeletal injuries caused by dynamic events typically found in the warfighter’s environment. We are exploring other military applications and beginning to use the technologies to assist individuals with musculoskeletal disease.

photo of robot guidephoto of ultrasonic white cane

Robotic Guide & Ultrasonic White Cane
Intellisight - Brian Higgins
The Robot Guide is a 7th generation prototype that employs three ultrasonic sensors and a LIDAR range sensor while the Ultrasonic White Cane incorporates one ultrasonic sensor. Both devices use a Bluetooth bone conduction headset to provide audio feedback about objects in the walking path, enhancing guidance and navigation for blind travelers.

Attend a lecture - Course lectures will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:50pm and are open to the greater Stanford community. You are most welcome to sit in on class sessions that interest you. You need not be a Stanford student and there is no required signup, enrollment, or charge. The class will meet in a large, tiered, accessible classroom on campus in the Thornton Center, adjacent to the Terman Fountain and near the Roble Gym, the same venue as last year. Here are the parking options, maps, and directions to the classroom.

clip art of a lecture

Did you miss a lecture? - Course lectures are posted on YouTube. To find the links, browse to the Lecture Schedule webpage, scroll down and click on the lecture of interest. Near the bottom of the page you will see the Lecture Material section which has links to the slides, photos, weblinks, and lecture video.

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Upcoming class sessions:

Would you like to support the course? - Funding in any amount for the course and student projects is always welcomed. Monetary gifts support approved project expenses, administrative costs, honoraria for guest lecturers, and the end-of-term celebration. Refer to the Team Project Support webpage for more information.

Do you have a question, comment, or suggestion? - If you have general questions, comments, or suggestions about the course, David L. Jaffe, MS, the instructor, can be reached by email or at 650/892-4464. Thank you again for your interest in the course.

Dave

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