• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate driving performance of Healthy and disabled groups (with or without driver's license) to control steering wheel by using steering assistive devices in the driving simulator. The persons with partial loss of use of all four limbs have problems in operation of the motor vehicle because of functional loss to operate steering wheel. Therefore, if steering assistive devices for grasping the steering wheel are used to control the vehicle on the road in persons with disabilities, the disabled persons can improve mobility in their community life by driving a motor vehicle safely. Ten healthy subjects (with or w/o driver's license) and ten subjects with physical disabilities (with or w/o driver's license) were involved in this study to evaluate driving performance to operate steering wheel by using four types of steering assistive devices (Single-pin, V-grip, Palm-grip, Tri-pin) in driving simulator. STISim Drive 3 software was used to test the steering performance in four scenarios: straight road at low and high speed of vehicle (40 km/h and 80 km/h), curved road at low and high speed of vehicle (40 km/h and 80 km/h). This study used two-way ANOVA in order to compare the effects of two factors (type of steering assistive device and subject group) in the three dependent variables of driving performance (the lateral position of vehicle, standard deviation of lateral position representing the variation of the left and right movement of the vehicle and the number of line crossing). The mean values of the three dependent variables (lateral position, standard deviation of lateral position, the number of line crossing) of steering performance were statistically significantly smaller for the healthy or disabled groups with driver's license than the other groups without driver's license on the curved road at high speed of vehicle compared to low speed of vehicle.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2017

In this study, feasibility analysis was performed by estimating the costs and effects of daisy reading auxiliary machine development project. The development cost of a Daisy player device, hardware/prototype and software, with only essential functions and with low price was estimated to be \307,101,664, and the production cost for a player was calculated to be \112,000. The development of Daisy viewer software and input/output assistive devices, application, was estimated to be \284,294,08, and an input/output device was set a price of \6,600. Based on these results, we looked at the economic ripple effects on the people with disabilities by promoting daisy - reading assistive device development project. The results of this study could be used to determine whether the project is to proceed. It is expected that it provides valuable information to actively cope with the changing business environment in the future.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.162-170
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• 2015

This paper describes the development of a hand module of NREX (National Rehabilitation Center Robotic Exoskeleton) designed to assist individuals with sustained neurological impairments such as stroke and spinal cord injuries. To construct a simple and lightweight hand module, the robotic hand adopts a mechanism driven by a motor and moved by two four-bar linkages. The motor facilitates the flexion-extension movements of the thumb and the other four fingers simultaneously. Thus, an individual using the robotic hand module can effectively grip and release objects related to daily life activities. The robotic hand module has been designed to cover the range of motion with respect to its link distance. This hand module can be used in therapeutic rehabilitation as well as for daily life assistance. In addition, this hand module can either be mounted on an NREX or used as a standalone module.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.65 no.12
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• pp.2138-2144
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• 2016

People with visual disabilities suffer environmentally, socially, and technologically. Navigating through places and recognizing objects are already a big challenge for them who require assistance. This study aimed to develop an android-based assistive application for the visually impaired. Specifically, the study aimed to create a system that could aid visually impaired individuals performs significant tasks through object recognition and identifying locations through GPS and Google Maps. In this study, the researchers used an android phone allowing a visually impaired individual to go from one place to another with the aid of the application. Google Maps is integrated to utilize GPS in identifying locations and giving distance directions and the system has a cloud server used for storing pinned locations. Furthermore, Haar-like features were used in object recognition.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.204-214
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• 2010

This research was intended to provide a basic data on the study of utilization of assistive technology to improve vocational ability for people with intellectual disabilities. As this study was literature review, it was analyzed the qualitative level, methodology contents, and general characteristic of a study, related assistive technology application for improvement of vocational ability in people with intellectual disabilities. The results of this study were as follows; Firstly, experimental environments mostly consisted of separated experimental conditions and design employed multiple probe design; Secondly, all of studies were involved in the standard of selection of subjects, but the proportions of study describing the contents related to subjects was low. The proportions of study describing the behavior-control and exterior-variable control method was low; Thirdly, most study evaluated independent variable and presented fidelity of treatment but, the presentation of social validity was proved to be insufficient. In order to effective application of assistive technology in vocational rehabilitation, it is need a evidence that the application of assistive technology is evidence-based practice in vocational rehabilitation. We also need a supplementation between methodology contents and qualitative level of study in more study.

• 재활복지
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.27-51
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• 2013

The present study aims to examine the assistive technology service operation system[ATSOS] of the support system for independent living[SSIL] which was introduced after the enactment of the Law of Assisting the Independence for Persons with Disabilities[LAIPD] and to discuss its implications in the development of the assistive technology service delivery system[ATSDS] and the related measures for promoting the assistive technology industry in Korea. For this purpose, the literature review and the field study were employed. The research findings showed that the Japanese SSIL, which adopted the user payment system as measures to establish the sustainable ATSOS, arranged the consumer participation structure through substantial cooperation among related government departments. The result of this study indicates the need to secure the consumer's right to choose in a comprehensive utilization process of assistive technology services as for the establishment of the ATSDS in Korea. Furthermore, the arrangements for practical cooperative strategies among related government departments are encouraged.

• Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing
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• v.20 no.sup1
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• pp.154-159
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• 2018

Purpose: There is a need for artificial intelligence which nurtures human intelligence as the prevalence of dementia and collapse of intelligence of human beings has become a social problem. Purpose of this study is to develop intervention technologies for maintaining cognitive health of older adults. Methods: The method named the Coimagination Method (CM) was proposed and has been developed in order to achieve goal. Conversation assistive technologies have been developed and tested based on the method. Results: The state of the art of the group conversation support system, and regular series of group conversation sessions for full-years with insights for healthy older adults are described in detail. Participatory approach has been applied to the design process for simultaneous research and implementation of the service. Both participants and practitioners have been maintaining their cognitive health for independent living. Conclusion: Findings imply that there exist potentially preventive types of dementia and intervention should be applicable for such types. Ways of thinking and living are gently intervened through understanding of personal values and broadening minds, which lead to improved quality of life.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.180-190
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• 2016

This prospective pilot clinical trial mainly focuses on developing dual chamber-based assistive cups which are suitable for stroke patients who have struggled with using there affected arms. It is unable to provide motor and sensory enhancement during drinking activities and to examine the feasibility of the devices for acute phase, even for chronic stroke survivors. The stroke patients(n=16; male=8, female=8), in this trial, were provided informed consent to the investigation. All the individuals participated in 1 weeks of training for using cups, randomized over dedicated dual chamber based assistive cups(DC) or placebo-cups(PC) training. All the participants were assessed within 1 week before and after the intervention period. 3-dimensional motion analysis, sEMG(surface electromyography) and 3-dimensional trunk movement were assessed. The result presents DC data group compared with PC showed, they needed lesser ROM(range of motion) at the phase of drinking in shoulder movements and lesser muscle activities on upper trapezius, deltoid middle fiber and triceps brachii muscles, lesser tilting movement on front and back side in drinking phase, the differences were statistically significant(p<.05). Dual chamber-based assistive cup could be one of efficient way to complete ADLs(activities of daily living), especially drinking tasks, and these evidence data may contribute to determine certain rehabilitation policies related to assistive devise usage.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

Purpose: This study sought to identify the utilization and confidence in assistive technology (AT) for pediatric physical therapists (PPTs) and pediatric occupational therapists (POTs) for the purpose of improving the utilization of AT in clinics. Methods: The subjects of this study were 167 therapists (98 PPTs and 69 POTs) who work at general hospitals, welfare centers, facilities for the disabled, and special education schools in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. The frequency analysis and chi-squared test were used. Results: This study found that both PPTs and POTs recognize that AT benefits infants with disabilities; however, they show low confidence in using AT. Applications of AT are concentrated on wheelchairs for mobility and assistance with seating position, with orthotics/prosthetics for both purposes. POTs were found to use a wider variety of AT devices. While both PPTs and POTs frequently select/recommend devices, both groups are less involved with delivery methods, manufacture of devices, and education on AT use. Conclusion: These findings show the actual conditions of utilization and confidence in AT of PPTs and POTs deeply involved with AT, and emphasize that AT training is essential for pediatric treatment by comparing domestic and foreign studies.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2017

We suggested the novel actuator mechanism to apply to wearable assistive system for the improvement of quality of life of the elderly or the people with disability using it. Characteristics of metal-hydride (MH) actuator is investigated in the novel actuating concept. The hydrogen equilibrium pressure increases when hydrogen is desorbed by heating a SMH alloys, whereas by cooling that alloys, the hydrogen equilibrium pressure decreases and hydrogen is absorbed. However, there are too long times in heat transfer mechanism to apply the assistive and rehabilitative device. In this study, 3 different SMH module were designed and characteristics of heat transfer in each SMH module were investigated based on the heat simulation.