Date: Monday, April 7, 2025
Category: Buzz Session

Abstract: The interactive session will highlight projects from the TechSAge RERC focused on Smart and Robotic Innovations for Aging with Disabilities.  L.Rice will describe a fall detection system designed to summon assistance after a fall and track the frequency/circumstances of falls.  Jones will present the current design of the SmartBathroom Lab, insights from objective data on transfers collected by the systems, and the next steps toward deploying components of the system for longitudinal collection of toilet transfer data in the home. Driggs-Campbell will describe and demonstrate a handle for the Stretch robot with vibrotactile motors designed to communicate with a user who is visually impaired while being guided through unfamiliar spaces with the Strech Robot. I.Rice/P.Bhowmick will discuss design recommendations for a robotic showering device informed by analysis of challenges & adaptive strategies for bathing and showering among older adults with mobility disabilities.

Learning Outcomes: Describe how technology can be employed to automatically measure transfers in the bathroom to assist evaluations performed by occupational therapists. Understand the design process for the haptic feedback and integration within the Stretch robot. Recognize challenges around seated showering for older adults aging with a mobility disabilities.