More Independence For Patients May Come From Robot Wheelchair

October 4, 2006

Engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

(NIST) are developing a robotic system that may offer wheelchair-

dependent people independent, powered mobility and the ability,

depending on patient status, to move to and from beds, chairs and

toilets without assistance.*

The lifting ability of the system, which is called the " HLPR Chair "

(for Home Lift, Position and Rehabilitation), also should

significantly reduce caregiver and patient injuries.

The HLPR chair draws on mobile robotic technology developed at NIST

for defense and manufacturing applications. It is built on an off-the-

shelf forklift with a U-frame base on wheel-like casters and a

rectangular vertical frame. The frame is small enough to pass through

the typical residential bathroom. The user drives the chair using a

joystick and other simple controls.

The HLPR chair's drive, steering motors, batteries and control

electronics are positioned to keep its center of gravity--even when

carrying a patient--within the wheelbase. This allows a person,

weighing up to 300 pounds, to rotate out, from the inner chair frame,

over a toilet, chair or bed while supported by torso lifts. The torso

lifts lower the patient safely into the new position. The chair frame

can even remain in position to continue supporting the patient from

potential side, back or front fall.

In addition, the proof-of-concept prototype HLPR Chair would allow

stroke victims and others to keep their legs active without

supporting their entire body weight. Retractable seat and foot rest,

padded torso lifts for under arms (that, when raised, act like

crutches) and an open frame at the bottom of the chair facilitate leg

exercises. The patient, once lifted and supported by the torso lifts,

can walk as the HLPR Chair moves forward at a slow pace. The current

maximum speed is 27 inches per second (0.7m/s).

NIST engineers plan to design the HLPR to autonomously dock with

toilets, provide voice-activation capability so patients can call the

HLPR from another location, and provide dial-in leg loading to limit

leg forces during rehabilitation.

###

*R. Bostelman and J. Albus. HLPR chair--A service robot for the

healthcare industry. Third International Workshop on Advances in

Service Robotics, Vienna, Austria, July 7, 2006. Read more at

Recommended Posts