1,721,110 research outputs found
An electric wheelchair mounted robotic arm - a survey of potential users
No full textThis paper describes the results of a survey which investigated and evaluated the needs and abilities of electric wheelchair users. The results of this survey will be used to develop a low-cost electric wheelchair-mounted robotic arm for use by physically disabled people to facilitate rehabilitation. The survey was undertaken by the author together with staff and students from occupational therapist training colleges, using a four-page questionnaire containing over 110 questions. The questionnaire was developed by the author together with Dr Robin Platts (Director of Orthotics), Mr Ian Bayley (Director of the London Spinal Unit) and senior occupational therapists at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex. After a successful trial the questionnaire was used with 50 severely disabled people from various backgrounds and social circumstances. The results of this survey show that the average electric wheelchair user is 40 years old, single (68%), living at home (58%) with family support (69%) and without any paid employment (79%). The most prevalent disability is spinal cord injury (24%) followed by multiple sclerosis (16%). The survey has identified several tasks which electric wheelchair users find impossible to do, and some of these will form part of the design specification. Finally 84% of the survey subjects would consider buying such a robotic ai
Energy conservation techniques: increasing the endurance of small UAVs
No full textAll small Unmanned Aircraft (UA) have severe limitations from a lack of endurance capability. This is a direct result of using battery technologies which are limited in their capacity, current capability, mass and energy density. The most widely used chemistry in small battery powered UAVs is Li-Po with its peak energy density of about 200 Wh/kg. Much research has been directed at finding alternative power sources, from Solar, Hydrogen Fuel Cells to Nuclear batteries. The latest contender is Li-S chemistries which appear to offer energy densities of up to 400 Wh/kg within the next 2 years. Li-S batteries claim to be safer in terms of damage tolerance and the lack of thermal runaway, which can be an issue with the current generation Li-Po batteries. This presentation will outline the alternatives and point towards the likely future direction of this technology. The author will also present other design strategies and design tools which help to promote the efficient use of power within these types of Unmanned Aircraft
Finding applications for small flying vehicles
No full textIntroduction to recent research into small flying vehicles at the University of Southampto
Tethered drones for persistent aerial surveillance applications
No full textThe current generation of free flying Drones, AKA Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) have two very important drawbacks; the first being an inability to cope with moderate wind speeds (>8 m/s), the second being a lack of endurance, with 20-30 min being typical for most small multi-rotor platforms (<7 kg). There are also a number of other issues which will also influence Drone (RPAS) use and acceptance amongst the general population, these being Safety, Security and Privacy
UAS developments at the University of Southampton
No full textInvited talk on Unmanned Aircraft Systems developments at the University of Southampton
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