Engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are developing a robotic system that may offer wheelchair-dependent people independent, powered mobility and the ability, depending on patient status, to move to and from beds, chairs and toilets without assistance.*

The lifting ability of the system, which is called the “HLPR Chair” (for Home Lift, Position and Rehabilitation), also should significantly reduce caregiver and patient injuries.

The HLPR chair draws on mobile robotic technology developed at NIST for defense and manufacturing applications. It is built on an off-the-shelf forklift with a U-frame base on wheel-like casters and a rectangular vertical frame. Continue Reading »

Eyes, not hands, now guide the work of wheelchair-bound vascular surgeon in Greenville

GREENVILLE — Glancing at a U.S. Open doubles tennis match on a big-screen TV in his ranch house, Dr. Bruce Fellows’ eyes sometimes dart back and forth between the bouncing, fuzzy green ball and the players’ quick-footed steps.

Martina Navratilova makes a winning point, but there is no “yeah, baby” clenched fist from Fellows. Continue Reading »