Necessity is said to be\u00a0the mother of invention. And sometimes PhD candidates can help that invention along, too.\u00a0During this past year, MDTAP\u00a0was lucky enough to have Brian Frey, a UMBC Human Centered Computing PhD candidate, intern with us. As he explored AT robotics projects, discussed the many merits of 3-D printers, and directly supported a variety\u00a0of in-office projects,\u00a0Brian was also busy finishing work on a more tangible project that\u00a0would directly impact the lives of children\u00a0who use wheelchairs.<\/p>\n
Using the concepts of Second Life, an online gaming program, Brian developed a power wheel chair simulator for students with motor impairments\u00a0at Kennedy Krieger. The 3D simulation program is operated with joysticks, in order to offer children a virtual environment in which they control an avatar to learn to better navigate around furniture, walls and pedestrians. With the guidance of an occupational therapist,\u00a0this power chair driver’s education simulation program\u00a0is a low cost, highly configurable solution to help children learn to better navigate in a power wheelchair, increasing self-esteem and independence.<\/p>\n
To read the full abstract, “On Four Wheels with Second Life,”\u00a0or learn more about this project, contact Brian Frey at\u00a0frey1@umbc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n