El-E: An Assistive Object Fetching Robot For Human Environments

---- PROTOTYPE --------- PURPOSE: To design an assistive robot (El-E) that takes advantage of common flat surface structures in order to retrieve unmodeled, everyday objects for people with motor impairments. El-E is able translate its manipulator and associated sensors to different heights, which enables it to grasp objects on a variety of surfaces, such as the floor and tables, using the same perception and manipulation strategies. The robot can approach an object selected with the laser pointer interface, detect if the object is on an elevated surface, raise or lower its arm and sensors to this surface, and visually and tactily grasp the object. Once the object is acquired, the robot can place the object on a laser designated surface above the floor, follow the laser pointer on the floor, or deliver the object to a seated person selected with the laser pointer. This project is directed by directed by Professor Charlie Kemp in collaboration with Dr. Jonathan Glass, director of the ALS Center at the Emory School of Medicine. SOURCE: http://www.gatech.edu/gallery/v/media/ele and http://www.hsi.gatech.edu/hrl/project_ele.shtml.