A Heuristic Approach to Overcome Architectural Barriers Using a Robotic Wheelchair.

The Mobility Enhancement roBotic (MEBot) wheelchair was developed to improve the safety and accessibility of wheelchair users when facing architectural barriers. MEBot uses pneumatic actuators attached to its frame and six wheels to provide curb ascending/descending for heights up to 20.3 cm.

Expertise Moderates Incidentally Learned Associations Between Words and Images.

Individuals with expertise in a domain of knowledge demonstrate superior learning for information in their area of expertise, relative to non-experts. In this study, we investigated whether expertise benefits extend to learning associations between words and images that are encountered incidentally. Sport-knowledge-experts and non-sports-experts encountered previously unknown faces through a basic perceptual task.

Usability Evaluation of a Novel Robotic Power Wheelchair for Indoor and Outdoor Navigation.

Objective: To compare the Mobility Enhancement roBotic (MEBot) wheelchair's capabilities with commercial electric-powered wheelchairs (EPWs) by performing a systematic usability evaluation.

Design: Usability in effectiveness, efficacy, and satisfaction was evaluated using quantitative measures. A semistructured interview was employed to gather feedback about the users' interaction with MEBot.

A conceptual framework to assess effectiveness in wheelchair provision.

Background: Currently, inadequate wheelchair provision has forced many people with disabilities to be trapped in a cycle of poverty and deprivation, limiting their ability to access education, work and social facilities. This issue is in part because of the lack of collaboration among various stakeholders who need to work together to design, manufacture and deliver such assistive mobility devices. This in turn has led to inadequate evidence about intervention effectiveness, disability prevalence and subsequent costeffectiveness that would help facilitate appropriate provision and support for people with disabilities.

Stability and Workload of the Virtual Reality-Based Simulator-2.

Objective: To assess the stability of clinicians' and users' rating of electric-powered wheelchair (EPW) driving while using 4 different human-machine interfaces (HMIs) within the Virtual Reality-based SIMulator-version 2 (VRSIM-2) and in the real world (accounting for a total of 5 unique driving conditions).

Design: Within-subjects repeated-measures design.

Setting: Simulation-based assessment in a research laboratory.

Interrater Reliability of the Power Mobility Road Test in the Virtual Reality-Based Simulator-2.

Objective: To assess interrater reliability of the Power Mobility Road Test (PMRT) when administered through the Virtual Reality-based SIMulator-version 2 (VRSIM-2).

Design: Within-subjects repeated-measures design.

Setting: Participants interacted with VRSIM-2 through 2 display options (desktop monitor vs immersive virtual reality screens) using 2 control interfaces (roller system vs conventional movement-sensing joystick), providing 4 different driving scenarios (driving conditions 1-4).

Design and evaluation of a seat orientation controller during uneven terrain driving.

Electric powered wheelchairs (EPWs) are essential devices for people with disabilities as aids for mobility and quality of life improvement. However, the design of currently available common EPWs is still limited and makes it challenging for the users to drive in both indoor and outdoor environments such as uneven surfaces, steep hills, or cross slopes, making EPWs susceptible to loss of stability and at risk for falls. An alternative wheel-legged robotic wheelchair, "MEBot", was designed to improve the safety and mobility of EPW users in both indoor and outdoor environments.

A participatory approach to develop the Power Mobility Screening Tool and the Power Mobility Clinical Driving Assessment tool.

The electric powered wheelchair (EPW) is an indispensable assistive device that increases participation among individuals with disabilities. However, due to lack of standardized assessment tools, developing evidence based training protocols for EPW users to improve driving skills has been a challenge. In this study, we adopt the principles of participatory research and employ qualitative methods to develop the Power Mobility Screening Tool (PMST) and Power Mobility Clinical Driving Assessment (PMCDA).

Acute mountain sickness in athletes with neurological impairments.

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a symptom complex noticed commonly among high altitude travelers. The occurrence of AMS depends on multiple factors that have been studied extensively. However, AMS in individuals with neurological impairments has not been considered in detail.