Research Project
Wheelchair Assist Technology and Co-bot Helper Robot (WATCHER)
Research Team
Lead Researchers:
- Prof. Amiel Hartman, ME
- Dr. Kacie Blackman, HSCI
- Dr. Xunfei Jiang, CS
- Dr. Nhut Ho, ME
Collaborators:
Student Team:
- Avni Israni, B.S. in CS
- Jose Flores, M.S. in CS
- Alejandro Arjona, M.S. in Human Nutrition
- Linduli Hettiarachchige, Cell and Molecular Biology
- David Ward, B.S. in CS (Industry)
- Mark Fullton, Electrical Engineering, College of the Canyons
- CS Senior Design Team 2025-2026 (Amir Shabo, Cristian Garcia, Davit Manaservan, Waldo Duarte)
Alumni:
- Megan Ngo, MBA (ARCS Fellow)
- Danielle Sanchez, SOC
- Shari Salas, ME
- CS Senior Design Team 2024-2025 (Chinedu Egbujor, Dami Adenugba,
Radian Avetisyan, Brendan Ascorra, Daniel Betancourt, Grigor Azakian)
Funding
- Funding Organization:
- Funding Program:
SYNOPSIS
- Development of semi-autonomous wheelchair and socially aware robot health aid to encourage community participation for persons with low mobility
- Integrating autonomous navigation capabilities into an electric powered wheelchair can enhance mobility for daily living activities
- A social robot that encourages engagement with other persons in the community can have a positive effect on physical and mental health
- Analyzing vital and social data can be used to better evaluate human health
Research Objectives
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Develop a Smart Wheelchair mobility platform using a electric powered wheelchair and autonomous navigation capabilities from robotics
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Design and program social interaction features using semi-humanoid robot Pepper
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Human body data collection and analysis using platform integrated sensors and wearable devices
Research Methods/Approach
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Integrate navigation sensors and software autonomy into a commercially available electric powered wheelchair
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Develop Pepper robot voice interaction and tablet user interface for social engagement
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Track body vital data to improve interaction between wheelchair user and assistive technology
Research Results and Deliverables
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Smart wheelchair adapted with a hybrid control interface, vision sensors, and autonomous navigation capabilities for enhanced mobility
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Human data collection with wearables, smart wheelchair integrated sensors, and social robot sensing
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Integration of conversational AI with semi-humanoid robot and user interface development for audio/visual human-robot social interaction
Commercialization Opportunities
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Application: Intelligent medical mobility and health monitoring
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Key Values: Enhanced power wheelchair safety and reduced cognitive load
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Potential Customers: Wheelchair users, care facilities, transportation
Research Timeline
Start Date:
End Date:
Lead Researchers:
- Prof. Amiel Hartman, ME
- Dr. Kacie Blackman, HSCI
- Dr. Xunfei Jiang, CS
- Dr. Nhut Ho, ME
Collaborators:
Student Team:
- Avni Israni, B.S. in CS
- Jose Flores, M.S. in CS
- Alejandro Arjona, M.S. in Human Nutrition
- Linduli Hettiarachchige, Cell and Molecular Biology
- David Ward, B.S. in CS (Industry)
- Mark Fullton, Electrical Engineering, College of the Canyons
- CS Senior Design Team 2025-2026 (Amir Shabo, Cristian Garcia, Davit Manaservan, Waldo Duarte)
Alumni:
- Megan Ngo, MBA (ARCS Fellow)
- Danielle Sanchez, SOC
- Shari Salas, ME
- CS Senior Design Team 2024-2025 (Chinedu Egbujor, Dami Adenugba,
Radian Avetisyan, Brendan Ascorra, Daniel Betancourt, Grigor Azakian)
Funding
- Funding Organization:
- Funding Program: