Semi-Remote Gait Assistance Interface: A Joystick with Visual Feedback Capabilities for Therapists

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Pathologies affecting human mobility necessitate advanced assistive devices.
• Smart walkers integrate navigation and interaction for intuitive user support.
• Healthcare professional involvement in smart walker teleoperation requires safe interaction strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate two visual feedback strategies for simulated robotic walker teleoperation.
• To assess the safety and usability of these strategies for clinicians.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of visual feedback in assisted navigation tasks.

Main Methods:

• Validation by 14 rehabilitation clinicians using a simulated robotic walker.
• Assisted navigation task involving path-following.
• Assessment via kinematic estimation error (KTE) and a usability survey.

Main Results:

• A kinematic estimation error (KTE) of 0.28 m was achieved with joystick feedback.
• Significant differences in perceived behavior (p=0.04) and confidence (p=0.01) were observed with joystick interaction.
• Clinicians' feedback informed the effectiveness of visual feedback strategies.

Conclusions:

• Visual feedback, particularly via joystick, enhances the teleoperation of simulated smart walkers.
• This technology supports remote therapy management and mobility rehabilitation monitoring.
• The findings contribute to the development of safer and more intuitive assistive robotic devices.