Technique for robotic assisted transfer for people with motor difficulties

Robot based technology for use with the elderly is investigated. The application area is that of assisting a person to achieve independent transfer between a seated and a standing position such as might be encountered in moving between a chair, wheelchair, bed, toilet, or shower seat. Two designs are proposed: the elbow supported transfer and the chest supported transfer. Both of the proposed prototypes in this project require a person to be lifted so most of their body weight is supported by the transfer device with the residual weight borne by the person's feet.