Online evaluation of upper limb performance
When it comes to the use of assistive technology, elderly and disabled people can be at a disadvantage in terms of finding appropriate interface devices. Such items may include switches, joystick or haptic devices. Taking this issue into consideration, the I-MATCH project developed a system able to choose the best possible interface controller for people who use assistive technology. This allows for the assurance of end products meeting user's needs. One of the main activities involved specifying and determining physical and functional features of existing interfaces. The data gathered was then placed into a database which is available to the public. Thus both providers and participants were able to gauge users' hand and arm skills. Following this stage, the creation of simulations of devices which are controllable such as powered wheelchairs, rehabilitation robots and computers was put into place. The system can be operated using any type of interface. Using a haptic interface with the system permits user skills to be identified as a result of more refined feedback. In fact, one of the milestones of the project was the development I-MATCH upper limb evaluation tool, a set of computer-based tests using a haptic interface. It consists of several different tests which are able to offer an objective measurement of the performance of the user's upper limbs. The tests are conducted in virtual reality which allows for online recording of a group of parameters that are used to assess the upper limb ability.
