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Intelligent walkers for the elderly: Performance and safety testing of VA-PAMAID robotic walker

Rentschler, AJ and Cooper, RA and Blasch, B and Boninger, ML (2003) Intelligent walkers for the elderly: Performance and safety testing of VA-PAMAID robotic walker. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 40 (5). 423 - 431. ISSN 0748-7711

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Abstract

A walker that could help navigate and avoid collisions with obstacles could help reduce health costs and increase the quality of care and independence of thousands of people. This study evaluated the safety and performance of the Veterans Affairs Personal Adaptive Mobility Aid (VA-PAMAID). We performed engineering tests on the VA-PAMAID to determine safety factors, including stability, energy consumption, fatigue life, and sensor and control malfunctions. The VAPAMAID traveled 10.9 km on a full charge and avoided obstacles while traveling at a speed of up to 1.2 m/s. No failures occurred during static stability, climatic, or fatigue testing. Some problems were encountered during obstacle climbing and sensor and control testing. The VA-PAMAID has good range, has adequate reaction time, and is structurally sound. Clinical trials are planned to compare the device to other low-technical adaptive mobility devices.


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Details

Item Type: Article
Status: Published
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Rentschler, AJ
Cooper, RARCOOPER@pitt.eduRCOOPER
Blasch, B
Boninger, MLboninger@pitt.eduBONINGER
Centers: Other Centers, Institutes, Offices, or Units > Human Engineering Research Laboratories
Date: 1 January 2003
Date Type: Publication
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
Volume: 40
Number: 5
Page Range: 423 - 431
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1682/jrrd.2003.09.0423
Schools and Programs: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Rehabilitation Science and Technology
Refereed: Yes
ISSN: 0748-7711
MeSH Headings: Equipment Design; Equipment Safety; Humans; Robotics; Walkers
PubMed ID: 15080227
Date Deposited: 15 Oct 2012 18:00
Last Modified: 05 Feb 2019 03:55
URI: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15834

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