Advanced robotic residence for the elderly/the handicapped: realization and user evaluation

A novel advanced robotic residence, Intelligent Sweet Home (ISH), is developed at KAIST, Korea for testing advanced concepts for independent living of the elderly and the physically handicapped. The work focuses on human-friendly technical solutions for motion/mobility assistance, health monitoring, and advanced human-machine interfaces that provide easy control of both assistive devices and home-installed appliances. To improve the inhabitant's comfort, an intelligent bed, intelligent wheelchair and mechatronic transfer robot were developed. And, various interfaces based on hand gestures and voice, and health monitoring system were studied. This paper emphasizes the realization scheme of Intelligent Sweet Home and user evaluation by a physically handicapped person.