Research project:- Robot Light Touch Support
Synopsis
It has been found that the support of an unsteady/elderly person can be improved by just a light touch (non-supporting). This can take the form of a light assuring touch on the arm or the back.
This research, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham psychology department seeks to build a robot with the appropriate sensors to maintain a defined amount of contact. The robot is a Festo Robotino as it has omni-directional capability to follow a person moving forwards, backwards, left, right, and rotation on the spot.
A gantry of potentiometers connected to light sticks and rubber bands allows the robot to keep in constant contact and detect movement of the subject.
A video of the system is below: