Researchers in the University of Pittsburgh Accessible SmartTech Research Group have teamed up with Hello Robot, a leading innovator in robots that assist people, and the ALS Association to advance the development of Stretch: a user-friendly robot with the potential to enhance the quality of life of people living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The two-year project is funded by a $400,000 investment from the ALS Association.
Under this partnership, Stretch will be further developed to meet the specific needs of people living with ALS with the goal of improving usability across a variety of daily activities (e.g., eating, drinking, personal care and household chores). Product development and testing will be done in close collaboration with an advisory group of users with ALS, their care partners and clinicians.
A Collaborative Approach to Assistive Robotics
Central to this project is the collaboration between researchers, care partners, and people living with ALS through participatory design. By working directly with individuals living with ALS to identify and iterate on their most critical tasks, the partnership will directly tailor Stretch to meet the evolving needs of people living with ALS.
“Engaging people living with ALS and their caregivers in the design process is essential to creating assistive robots like Stretch that truly transform daily life. Our goal is to develop technology that not only addresses critical needs but empowers individuals to live with greater autonomy and joy,” said Pitt's Rehabilitation Science and Technology Professor and Director of the Accessible SmartTech Research Group Dan Ding whose expertise in participatory design and wheelchair-mounted robotic arms will shape this initiative.
Innovative Robotic Assistance for People Living with ALS
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As the disease advances, individuals with ALS experience a gradual loss of motor control, making daily tasks increasingly challenging. A robotic assistant, such as Stretch, holds the potential to help with the physical challenges of performing daily activities and transform home-based care for people living with ALS. "We want people with ALS to live their lives to the fullest. One important way we can help them do that is by supporting the development of assistive technologies like Stretch that can help them do the everyday things they would normally do that the disease takes away,” said Kuldip Dave, PhD, senior vice president of Research for the ALS Association. “These types of technologies are really important for managing ALS and key to making it a livable disease.”
The Accessible SmartTech Research Group at the University of Pittsburgh is committed to transforming smart technology to enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities. We focus on innovative solutions, from smartphones and smart home devices to wearables and assistive robotics that use sensors, software and connectivity to adapt and respond intelligently. Our mission involves not only developing new technologies but also customizing existing systems to meet diverse user needs and actively exploring funding and policy initiatives to improve access and ensure sustainability of these tech solutions.
Published: 12/16/24