Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

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52ResultsThe prototype URC that was developed was an accessible learning remote control for thehome environment. It used a new wireless method to communicate, removing the ‘line ofsight’ problems that hamper traditional remote controls. This new wireless technology (calledZigBee) was an ideal choice due to its specific relevance in a home automation setting, lowpower consumption (meaning longer battery life) and unique security features.The URC was based on a commercially available personal digital assistant (PDA) andfeatured switch scanning capability, direct ‘touch screen’ access, high contrast dynamic resizeablebuttons, flexible software to alter scan rates, colours and other functionality, audiblecues when scanning and selecting different options, voice output capability at the mainmenu screen and no ‘line of sight’ issues. Since few commercial products currently exist withZigBee capability, the URC operated a commercial TV, DVD and lamp through a ZigBee-toinfraredconverter, which provided the mechanism for control.ImplicationsStatusThe project demonstrated that developing a URC using a commercial product as aplatform, combined with a new and emerging technology (in ZigBee), was possible. Whileyet to undergo usability trials to collect feedback and general comments on design andperformance, the URC represents an important proof-of-concept model for accessiblecontrollers.CompletedThe prototype universal remote control, which is based on acommercially available personal digital assistant
Project summaries53Products and technology for personal indoor and outdoormobility and transportationNovita staff contributors highlighted in boldProject titleContributorsSummaryWheelchair usage: tracking wheelchairs and their users – a pilot study usingminiature data loggers (MDLs) to identify wheelchair usage patternsDavid Hobbs, Jillian Los (Queensland University of Technology), Dr Lloyd Walker, DrShirley Fitzgerald (University of Pittsburgh, USA), Dr Dan Ding (University of Pittsburgh, USA),Michelle Tolerico (University of Pittsburgh, USA), Robert Bingham (Royal Perth Hospital),Professor John Evans (Queensland University of Technology)There is little published research on how and how often wheelchairs are used in a communitysetting. The purpose of this study is to investigate usage patterns and communityparticipation of paediatric wheelchair users in Australia. The University of Pittsburgh’s HumanEngineering Research Laboratories have conducted a study by the same name with adultparticipants (see references below), however this study is the first to investigate wheelchairusage amongst children. The information that is collected will be combined with that fromPittsburgh to produce a broader and more comprehensive study relevant to wheelchair usersof all ages.Wheelchair activity is collected via a miniature data logger (MDL) that is attached to thespokes of a manual wheelchair’s wheels. It collects information on six variables – the distancetravelled forwards and backwards, the average speed travelled forwards and backwards andthe total number of times the chair stops during the day over a three month period. The dataobtained from this pilot study will be significant as it measures and records actual wheelchairactivity rather than perceived or estimated use. The data can then be analysed for trends andpatterns.MethodPotential participants are identified and referred by Novita therapists or respond directly toan advertisement in one of Novita’s publications. Once consent has been given, the MDLis attached to the child’s wheelchair and remains there for the duration of the trial. Parentsare asked to complete a questionnaire and the chief investigator interviews the wheelchairuser to gauge their feelings on certain aspects of their wheelchair (if they are capable ofanswering the questions posed). The questionnaire contains questions relating to the user’sdemographics, their wheelchair and their community participation. The inclusion criteria forparticipants is that they be manual wheelchair users (for greater than 20 hours per week) andbe under 18 years of age.The MDL collects information on all wheelchair movements from the moment it is attached,to an accuracy of one third of a wheel rotation. After the trial has been completed the MDLis removed, the raw data is downloaded and processed using a MATLAB program and theinformation is analysed.The MDLs are capable of reporting on wheelchair usage patterns by virtue of three internalsensors and a magnetic pendulum. Each time the pendulum passes a sensor, a time stamp(precise to a tenth of a second) and the sensor number is recorded. A motion is determinedas being clockwise or counter-clockwise according to the sensor sequence recorded, andforwards or backwards motion can be determined. A MATLAB program analyses the rawdata and reports on activity for all six quantities in hourly intervals (ie 1-2am, 2-3am etc) forevery day of the trial.
Page 1 and 2: Research Report2004-2007Connecting
Page 3 and 4: Welcome to Research at NovitaWelcom
Page 8 and 9: List of project summariesProject ti
Page 10 and 11: 10Project summariesEnhancing partic
Page 12 and 13: 12MethodThree groups of children ag
Page 14 and 15: 14Project titleContributorsFundingS
Page 16 and 17: 16ResultsThe lowest, highest and me
Page 18 and 19: 18ResultsImplicationsEmergent theme
Page 20 and 21: 20Project titleContributorsSummaryM
Page 24 and 25: 24ResultsThree participants were re
Page 28 and 29: 28MethodA quasi-experimental design
Page 30 and 31: 30Evaluation of measurements, inter
Page 32 and 33: 32ImplicationsFor children and thei
Page 34 and 35: 34ResultsFive students (25%) respon
Page 36 and 37: 36ImplicationsStatusFor consultants
Page 38 and 39: 38Project summariesEvaluation of se
Page 44 and 45: 44Project titleContributorsSummaryC
Page 46 and 47: 46Results The survey was sent to 22
Page 48 and 49: 48Project titleContributorsSummaryW
Page 50 and 51: 50Project summariesProducts and tec
Page 54 and 55: 54ResultsImplicationsStatusReferenc
Page 56 and 57: 56MethodThe following process was u
Page 58 and 59: 58ImplicationsStatusThe project was
Page 60 and 61: 60ImplicationsStatusReferencesFamil
Page 62 and 63: 62ResultsThe workshop series began
Page 66 and 67: 66ResultsImplicationsStatusThree im
Page 68 and 69: 68MethodResultsImplicationsStatusAt
Page 76 and 77: 76MethodThe drive for developing an
Page 78 and 79: 78ImplicationsThe ongoing use and i
Page 80 and 81: 80ImplicationsStatusThis system is
Page 82 and 83: 82Other refereed publicationsNguyen
Page 84 and 85: 84Australian Group on Severe Commun
Page 86 and 87: 86Mobility 2005, Exeter, UK• Outc
Page 88 and 89: 88Grants and awards received*Novita
Page 90 and 91: 902005 Australian and New Zealand A
Page 92: Head Office171 Days RoadRegency Par

Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

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