USF researchers seek volunteers to study robotic arms

Posted Sep 20, 2010 by Lindsay Peterson

Updated Sep 21, 2010 at 11:46 AM

USF engineering researchers are looking for people who use wheelchairs to help them with their work on robotic arms.

The participants would test different types of robotic arms, including those that are commercially available and in development.

You could help the researchers figure out how to make the devices work better for a variety of tasks, such as opening a cabinet and moving a cup from a table to your mouth.

You could also help them show that robotic devices can help disabled people do more things and do them more efficiently.

A volunteer tests a robotic arm made by Exact Dynamics.

If you’re interested you must:

- Be between 18 and 60;
- Use a power wheelchair;
- Be willing to disclose relevant medical information;
- Have a certain level of strength and dexterity, to push and pull a standard or chin joystick, for instance;
- Be able to spend up to four hours at a time at the USF lab.

Participation is voluntary. There is no compensation.

If you are interested in participating in this study or have questions you can contact:
- Rajiv Dubey, (813) 974-5619, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
- Redwan Alqasemi, (813) 974-5765, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
- John Capille, (813) 784-4066, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)