Top of page
Technology

Robot with AI could help people with disabilities gain independence

testing robotic arm
Photo: University of Southern California

Researchers from the University of Southern California have created a hair-combing robotic arm capable of brushing people’s hair, reports Fortune.

Computer science professor Stefanos Nikolaidis, from the University of Southern California, said he was inspired to work on the project after having spent time with stroke survivors. Interviewing them about tasks with which they might want help, many stroke survivors, particularly women, he said, mentioned the desire to have someone—or something—to help brush their hair.

“The task, which involves a different range of motion for each individual’s head and hair as well as a delicate control around how far into the hair to insert a comb so that it brushes the hair effectively without causing injury, is actually not a trivial task for a robot to master” said Nikolaidis.

The robot uses a camera to create a 3-D map of the back of a person’s head and hair so it can plan how to brush efficiently. A special copper comb, equipped with a sensor that can detect when the comb comes into contact with skin, is used to prevent the robot from harming the person whose hair it is brushing.

You might also like

Person using Bento Arm Person using Bento Arm

Researchers develop AI-powered prosthetic “Bento Arm”

A University of Alberta research team has developed a prosthetic…

blind student reading using Orbit Braille Reader blind student reading using Orbit Braille Reader

Internet outages and the impacts on persons with disabilities

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been consulting…

woman and grandson with using a walker during rehabilitation woman and grandson with using a walker during rehabilitation

Researchers develop wearable device to predict stroke risk

A team of researchers from the Keck School of Medicine…

Person using AI chatbot Person using AI chatbot

AI Chatbot to help adults with autism get more active

The University of Limerick and Gemmo AI are launching an…