Robotics lab promises a new world for people with disabilities
The health and quality of life of people with disabilities is set to be improved with the aid of robots according to UTS engineers who launched an Assistive Robotic Laboratory Project in partnership with Greystanes Disability today.
The laboratory focuses on developing intelligent machines that collaborate with people. Researchers have developed demonstrators including a robotic walking assistant, intelligent wheelchair and robotic exoskeletons, which were on display at the launch.
UTS is investing $4 million over five years to drive research and collaboration in the field.
Being launched by NSW Minister for Ageing and Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance, the laboratory is a branch of the Centre for Autonomous Systems (CAS) at UTS.
UTS Vice-Chancellor Professor Ross Milbourne said the program would deliver research with real impact in the community, enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.
"I’m very proud of this growing area of important work by UTS’s world class, next generation robotics researchers. They’ll be taking ideas out of the lab and providing lasting benefits in people’s everyday lives," Professor Milbourne said.
"One of this team, Dr Nathan Kirchner [2], was recently named one of Popular Science’s top ten young innovators of the year for his research into human machine interaction and robots’ sensing and perception of human cues."
UTS Professor of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering Dikai Liu [3] said the work was challenging, as getting any device or robot to work and interact with people was more difficult than getting a robot to work autonomously.
"We have partnered with Greystanes Disability Services in this laboratory to define specific user needs and practical considerations in the development of the assistive robotics projects," Professor Liu said.
Greystanes CEO John Le Breton said, "We are excited to assist UTS with this important research to develop new technologies that ultimately will lead to greater participation in the community by people with a disability.
"Greystanes has extensive experience in providing services to people with disabilities, including manufacturing customised seating and mobility equipment to meet specific needs."
Dr Kirchner said the assistive robotics field had already moved well beyond the conceptual phase.
"Research on assistive robotics is coming through at a massive pace we are reaching an apex where it is possible to build a machine that has some sense of purpose," he said. "We are at a stage now where we are looking beyond what it could do and looking at how it can coexist with us."
