Spinal muscular atrophy patient creates several solutions for herself and other in similar conditions with technology

Kavita is not able to move out of her wheelchair due to her condition. Because she believes disabled people should be able to try to be more independent, she already came up with several assistive robotic devices that can help people with disabilities to have greater physical independence.

“It’s about increasing independence for people with severe physical disabilities. I have a number of prototypes for assistive robotics that can increase physical independence - such as repositioning limbs, transferring, personal care and mobility. The most significant aspect of my thesis is that even though the technology and hardware needed exist, sometimes having accessibility to control them is very difficult. For someone with a severe disability like myself, there are special keyboards to use the computer, and that helps. However, there is very limited research in the areas of robotics and accessibility”, the inventor explained.

One of Kavita’s prototype consists of a robotic mattress, which was the core of her PhD dissertation defence. This innovation is a small-scale prototype of a robotic air mattress that features a number of air chambers that can be inflated or deflated using a web interface. This means the user can alternate pressure settings. This can help patients who are not able to move but need frequent repositioning so that they can have pressure relief and better rest.

The inventor doesn’t want to stop and will keep working on using technology to help herself and others in need. “I’m excited about more physical independence through telepresence. I want to travel to more places, interact with more people, and see more assistive robotics that can increase mobility for people with disabilities. To improve the quality of life, people should be as independent as possible and new technology can help accomplish that. One of the prototypes I’m working on is a device that can move human arms and legs so that if I need assistance, I can use an Internet accessible telepresence interface to move myself safely. I know that will be achieved in the next five years”, Kavita observed.

More info: https://www.csee.umbc.edu/~kavi1/

Adapted from: https://bit.ly/2FRX30K
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