http://www.facebook.com/events/331569566898368/ tell anyone you know at Microsoft that they can drop by building 33 on Thursday to see the LIFESUIT ( short link http://theyshallwalk.org/?p=1468 )
Kinect to replace the TS or telemetry suit
We have been working hard to add the Microsoft Kinect to the list of HIT (Human Interface Technology) devices that are able to control the LIFESUIT robotic exoskeleton.
LIFESUIT eight LS8 electrogoniometer
In it’s current configuration the LIFESUIT therapy model is set up to be trained or taught to move with a hard wired solid telemetry suite or TS. We have built several version of the TS that include plastic, metal, fabric and more. The first one that I showed to Dr Steve Steins was in 2003 when he first visited our research lab at the community college (North Seattle Community College aka NSCC) “you have built an electrogoniometer” he exclaimed as I walked around the lab. I asked him to repeat it so I could write down the name of the device that I had built.
In the old days that was part of LIFESUIT prototype eight LS8. That model used electric actuators and linear trim pots (potentiometers) as sensors. When I walked around the lab with the LS8 wired up to the PC the ‘debug’ screen showed an output of several columns of numbers.
As I took steps the basic stamp microcontroller put the numbers on the screen of the pc. These are called gait recordings. The way the LIFESUIT is set up to work is that these gait recordings are stored in a gait library. When the LIFESUIT pilot is ready to walk and roll in the LIFESUIT they just push on the joystick and the computer “plays” the gait recordings back.
With the Kinect we will be able to offer a simple version of the HIT that allows PT (Physical Therapists) to stand in front of the Xbox Kinect and the device would record their motions. The LIFESUIT therapy system would be able to mimic the PT movements by powering the LIFESUIT that the paralyzed person is strapped into.
If you work at Microsoft your volunteer time and donations will be matched to double your efforts and money.
We were part of the Abilities conference on April 5, 2012 at building 33 where people were able to see the LIFESUIT demonstration.
They Shall Walk with a Kinect and a LIFEUSIT
Almost two dozen non profit organizations were represented including:
