UMass Lowell - Visual Control Interface for Manus ARM

This video is from the UMass Lowell Robotics YouTube page:

Visual Control Interface of a Wheelchair Mounted Robotic Arm for Cognitively Impaired Wheelchair Users

The Exact Dynamics' Manus ARM, a 6+2 degree of freedom wheelchair mounted robot arm, is able to function in unstructured environments. However, it is awkwardly controlled through a menu system using a keypad, a joystick or a single switch. These controls are not intuitive or natural because they require a high level of cognitive awareness. Also, the input devices may not correlate well to the users physical and cognitive abilities.

Our research investigates visual control of a robot arm. We leverage all of the Manus ARMs benefits while eliminating its weaknesses. Our vision-based system draws inspiration from peoples innate abilities to see and touch. Because the wheelchair occupant is collocated with the ARM, the occupant's view is the same as a camera mounted over the ARM's shoulder. The occupant selects the desired object using from a flexible interface and touch screen or mouse-emulating joystick. Our goal is to allow the occupant to acquire the object by unfolding the ARM, then reaching and grasping the object in a manner emulating human kinematics. This human-in-the-loop control will provide simpler and effective interaction

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• UMass Lowell
• UMass
• Lowell
• Robotics
• Robot