Project Grant 1520098

This National Science Foundation (NSF) Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CFDA 47.070) Project Grant award of $140,758 to the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) aims to explore the feasibility of using teleoperated robotics to assist individuals with visual impairments. The key goals of this one-year project are to: 1) conduct surveys and interviews with visually impaired individuals to understand the challenges they face in employment and explore their interest in using...

This Project Grant award for $150,000 from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) program (CFDA 47.070) will support research at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) to develop smart technologies for evaluating and enhancing building accessibility for people with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users. The key activities include: 1) conducting a community meeting to understand the environmental experiences and stressors that...

This $199,941 Project Grant award, funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (CFDA 93.433), aims to develop intelligent mobile robotic assistants to support individuals with disabilities in performing Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). The key expected products are: (1) mobile manipulators with the ability to learn new IADLs, and (2) a flexible user interface for these robotic assistants. The goal is to promote independent...

This SBIR Phase I award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) program (CFDA 47.084) provides $275,000 to Rehabnetics Medical LLC to develop a robotic wrist-hand exoskeleton device for physical therapy. The project aims to create a prototype system that can provide tailored rehabilitative exercises based on quantified measures of a patient's motor function recovery. Key technical milestones include developing objective diagnostic markers, an...

This Project Grant award from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865) supports the development and demonstration of a Social, Assistive Mobile Manipulator (SAMM) software suite. The goal is to enhance functional independence and psychosocial well-being for individuals with tetraplegia secondary to severe cervical spinal cord injury. The $399,988 award to Charles River Analytics,...

This $300,000 National Science Foundation project grant will support the development of remotely operated reconfigurable walker robots for eldercare services through February 2025. Funded under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering program, the award recipient Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Volunteer Services, Inc. will conduct research to design a multi-functional robotic system that can alter its physical configuration to navigate residential environments. The robot is...

This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) provides $650,000 to develop a soft growing robotic system to assist older adults and their caregivers with mobility support. The project aims to create an easy-to-use robotic belt that can safely transfer older adults from bed to wheelchair, reducing the physical burden on caregivers. The award includes sub-grants to the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center,...

This National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (CFDA 47.084) Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $305,000 awarded to A Cubed Design LLC, a limited liability company in Aurora, IL, aims to develop a novel, cost-effective, and user-repairable refreshable braille device. The project seeks to address the high costs and durability issues associated with existing refreshable braille technology, which limit braille literacy among the 7 million...

This $256,000 National Science Foundation project grant supports the development of an infant-controlled powered mobility device to promote independent movement for children with motor impairments. Awarded under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program, the funding will enable Assistance In Motion, Inc. to build and validate a second-generation prototype of their "Weebot" device. The Weebot allows infants as young as six months old to move in any direction by leaning...

This National Science Foundation Project Grant of $299,979 awarded on October 1, 2022 through the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) supports the development of experiential learning opportunities centered on assistive technologies for undergraduate students at California State University, Northridge. The two-year award aims to engage students in project-based learning to design and prototype assistive technologies while building empathy for individuals with disabilities. Key services...