SBIR-STTR Award

The prototype Arlyn Arm WordStation, a robotic arm workstation, created, designed and bolt by Arlyn Toolworks mill be modified to make it transpondable and capable of handling item such as textbooks and lunch used in an educational sewing. Then the resulting device, the Arlyn Arm Tumsportable will then be tested by students performing educational tasks and reviewed by teachers, occupational therapists and caregivers.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
:There are over 1,400 cases per year of persons of school age becoming quarinplegic though spinal cord injury or other disabling condition The Arlyn Ann Transportable, being developed in Phase 1, will permit someone with severe paralysis to ~move in a classroom~ and to study at home without the aid of an attendant This device will be refined and engineered in Phase II to become reliable and inexpensive to manufacture in the small quantities demanded by this shekel It will be the core component of workstations appropriate for many vocations as well as students. Arlyn Toolworks will manufacture, sell and support this product

In Phase I, the Arlyn Arm Transportable robotic workstation was shown to be a feasible tool for students with high level paralysis in an educational setting. In Phase II, we will redesign it into a modularized, easy-to-maintain unit with greater accuracy of movement. We will build three copies of the new design, use two in one semester college field trials and one to develop tools and methods for Science Labs and Studio Art classes. This will be followed by a Science Lab field trial at the Weidener School, Philadelphia School District and by the creation of four new interfaces for controlling the arm.Summary Of Anticipated Results And Implications:The Arlyn Arm Transportable robotic workstation will be improved enough to be widely accepted as an educational tool for students with high level paralysis. It will allow these students to take an active 'hands on' role in Science Labs and Studio Art classes as well as lectures. New groups of students with disabilities will be able to use it, especially persons with Cerebral Palsy. It will be proven reliable and useful by field trials. Vocational Rehab agencies will have evidence to easily justify funding purchase of the device for their clients.