Robot armchair for wheelchair users

Scientists have created a cheap robot arm that can do the job especially to help people in wheelchairs open the door.

Erin Rapacki, head of research at the University of Massachusetts (UCL), who uses wheelchairs, often has difficulty grasping and turning the handle. Meanwhile, the multi-functional robots that can help them do this are usually not cheap. That's why Rapacki and his team have worked hard to create a cheap robot arm called DORA, which costs about $ 2,000.

According to Rapacki, a robot with the function to open the door handle many different types of handles. It also has to calculate how much force to open, the angle of rotation to open the latch ... DORA can open the door with 14 types of handles in most tests.

To simplify the device, the Rapacki team uses only one engine and does not have a camera attached to the sensor. Instead, an engine-powered tool system helps the arm reach the door handle with three fingers spread out. Initially, the Rapacki expert used the fingers made of synthetic resin because they thought they could handle the door handles well, but they were too thick and soft. Hard plastic sticks proved to be more effective. She also added slide clutches to the transmission to help DORA hold and twist the handle at the same time as pulling or pulling the door.

Witnessing the DORA show at a conference in Woburn, Massachusetts, Ted Kochanski, a technical consultant, said the results were impressive. He also suggested enhancing the electronic sensor and drive tools to further improve operational efficiency.