Robotic Assistive Devices for Motor Disability Rehabilitation

Abstract

Mankind has traditionally developed manipulative and locomotive tools to enhance the ability and performance, increase, strength to and reduce performance variability. In a motor rehabilitation context, such devices enable people with disabilities to perform many activities of daily living, to lead independent lives, and play a more productive role in society. In this article, we present a review of the technology underlying assistive devices for people with manipulative and locomotive disabilities focusing on prosthetic limbs, robotic arms, exoskeletons, braces, and wheelchairs. We highlight the important role that robotics can play in assistive devices. There is another class of assistive devices, called teletheses, that bear a strong resemblance to the multiple degree‐of‐freedom robot arms and to the body‐powered prosthetic limbs. Finally, we discuss the design and manufacturing issues for such devices. The high degree of customization that is required and the one‐of‐a‐kind flavor of these products suggest that a computer‐integrated, automated approach to design and prototyping is necessary for manufacturing.