• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.22 no.3_1spc
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• pp.600-606
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• 2013

This paper describes the development of a novel walking assistance robot for the elderly and infirm. In the case of simple walking assistance devices, the walking safety and effectiveness are somewhat low; hence, caregivers are frequently required. The walking assistance robot developed in this research is capable of securely and conveniently assisting a walking user by using electric motors and various devices without a caregiver. The main features include the following. First, the walking safety is improved by using a pelvis supporter, and the robot is able to follow the user effectively by means of ergonomic motion sensors and electric powered wheels. Second, it is possible to adjust the load applied to the lower body by adjusting the height of the pelvis supporter. Finally, it is possible to inform the approximate distance and direction of any obstacle around the robot using the sounds and vibrations for the blind and the hearing impaired. The performance of the developed walking assistance robot was successfully verified using a walking assistance test in a narrow-corridor environment.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.471-479
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• 2015

This study examined the effects of smart phone use while young adults negotiated an obstacle (2 cm high). Seventy-four young adults (mean age: $23.76{\pm}3.17years$, age range: 20-27 years) participated in the study. They were allocated randomly into two groups; smart phone group and no smart phone group. The smart phone group negotiated an obstacle while simultaneously using a smart phone at a self-paced speed whereas the no smart phone group negotiated an obstacle with no special option. A motion analysis system were used to measure the gait parameters, such as toe clearance, cadence, step length, step width, stride length, and walking velocity in two groups. The toe clearance, and step-width, cadence, and step-length were significantly greater for the smart phone group than the no smart phone group (p<.05) and the walking velocity was significantly lower in the smart phone group (p<.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the stride length between the two groups. This study suggests that smart phone use degrades the obstacle avoidance abilities of healthy young adults, which may increase risk of falls.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.25-30
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• 2017

In this Paper, we Propose the Low-cost Obstacle Recognition System Utilizing the Ultrasonic Sensor. Developed Obstacle Recognition System can be used to Aid the Visually Impaired Person. The Existence of the Obstacle is Notified to the Person through the Embodied Electronic Vibration Motor. The Timing Difference from the Recognition to the Notification Indicates the Distance to the Obstacle. Pulsed Ultrasonic Signal Controlled by MCU is Utilized and the Reflected Pulse through the Obstacle gives the Developed System the Existence of the Obstacle and the Distance to the Object. Pulse is sent Repetitively to Improve the Detection Accuracy. Developed Apparatus gives 30 Degree of Detection Angle and 2cm-30cm of the Detection Range when the Apparatus is Tested under Normal Walking Environment.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.320-328
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• 2021

As the number of visually impaired people steadily increases, interest in independent walking is also increasing. However, there are various inconveniences in the independent walking of the visually impaired at present, reducing the quality of life of the visually impaired. The white cane, which is an existing walking aid for the visually impaired, has difficulty in recognizing upper obstacles and obstacles outside the effective distance. In addition, it is inconvenient to cross the street because the sound signal to help the visually impaired cross the crosswalk is lacking or damaged. These factors make it difficult for the visually impaired to walk independently. Therefore, we propose the design of an embedded system that provides traffic light recognition through object recognition technology, voice guidance using TTS, and upper obstacle recognition through ultrasonic sensors so that blind people can realize safe and high-quality independent walking.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.7-8
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• 2008

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2017

The white cane, walking assistive device of visually impaired person, has disadvantages for acquiring the information by contacting obstacles directly and detecting low obstacle on the ground. Recently, new devices have been developing to solve these problems, but these were not widely used due to high price and appearance. Therefore, in this study, we developed two types of walking assistive shoes which were manufactured with infrared sensors, pressure sensors and vibrating motors. Two types of shoes were classified with single sensor (SS) and double sensor (DS) type according to the number of infrared sensor. To evaluate the effectiveness, we compared required time and number of collisions during walking with walking assistive shoes and white cane on obstacle area. As the results, required time was increased than white cane while number of collisions was decreased when walking with developed walking assistive shoes. In addition, required time and number of collisions was more reduced when using walking assistive device than white cane. Therefore, we suggests that developed walking assistive shoes can a great help to provide safe walking condition and reducing time to adapt new types of walking assistive shoes.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.04a
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• pp.123-125
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• 2006

This paper discusses the method of vision based sensor fusion system for biped robot walking. Most researches on biped walking robot have mostly focused on walking algorithm itself. However, developing vision systems for biped walking robot is an important and urgent issue since biped walking robots are ultimately developed not only for researches but to be utilized in real life. In the research, systems for environment recognition and tole-operation have been developed for task assignment and execution of biped robot as well as for human robot interaction (HRI) system. For carrying out certain tasks, an object tracking system using modified optical flow algorithm and obstacle recognition system using enhanced template matching and hierarchical support vector machine algorithm by wireless vision camera are implemented with sensor fusion system using other sensors installed in a biped walking robot. Also systems for robot manipulating and communication with user have been developed for robot.

• Proceeding of EDISON Challenge
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• 2016.03a
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• pp.489-492
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• 2016

In this paper, 본 논문에서는 경사/장애물/특수표면을 이동할 수 있는 얀센 매커니즘 기반의 보행기구 설계에 대해 다루고 있다. 얀센 매커니즘 자체의 조건과 전체 보행기구의 조건을 알아보며, 기구의 완전한 회전운동 조건과 장애물이 있는 거친 표면을 이동할 수 있는 조건을 알아보고자 한다.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.07d
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• pp.1977-1978
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• 2006

This paper discusses the method of vision based sensor fusion system for biped robot walking. Most researches on biped walking robot have mostly focused on walking algorithm itself. However, developing vision systems for biped walking robot is an important and urgent issue since biped walking robots are ultimately developed not only for researches but to be utilized in real life. In the research, systems for environment recognition and tele-operation have been developed for task assignment and execution of biped robot as well as for human robot interaction (HRI) system. For carrying out certain tasks, an object tracking system using modified optical flow algorithm and obstacle recognition system using enhanced template matching and hierarchical support vector machine algorithm by wireless vision camera are implemented with sensor fusion system using other sensors installed in a biped walking robot. Also systems for robot manipulating and communication with user have been developed for robot.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1997.11a
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• pp.576-580
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• 1997

This paper presents a path planning algorithm for biped walking robot in 3-D workspace. Since the biped walking robot can generate path on some 3-D obstacles that cannot generate path in case of mobile robot, we have to make a new path planning algorithms. A 3-D-to-2-D mapping algorithm is proposed and two kinds of path planning algorithms are also proposed. They make it easier to generate an efficient path for biped walking robot under given environment. Some simulation results are shown to prove the effectiveness of proposed algorithms.