Concept development and prototypes for robotic systems in active assisted living

Abstract

Abstract Active and Assistive Living, AAL, is a concept that attention have been focused on in the last decades. There are many young people with disabilities, such as visually impairment, missing limbs, AVC stroke problems. There are also many old people who have locomotion, eyesight and many other health problems that make their lives so very difficult. The authors of this paper present aspects of their research regarding new concepts, models and prototypes (virtual and 3D printed) of robotic systems intended to assist people with disabilities for an active and normal life. An innovative open source system for guidance of young people (but, also elderly ones) with eyesight problems has been developed. It is intended to be used indoors also outdoors, to provide audio guidance, haptic guidance, or both. Research aspects on a bionic prosthesis for the upper limb are evidenced. The focus is on a two fingers model that should be considered as the proof of concept. Innovative mechatronic system designed to help people, who can no longer stand and / or walk is further presented. A virtual platform concept aimed at the integration of all these devices, and similar others, to communicate by IoT is shown.