Media coverage
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Media coverage
Title More independence for disabled young people Degree of recognition International Media name/outlet Emerald Publishing Media type Print Country/Territory United Kingdom Date 10/12/20 Description When Professor David Sanders, Professor of Systems Engineering at the University of Portsmouth drafted his thesis on machine learning in 2011, the techniques were applied to industrial robots undertaking pick and place tasks in manufacturing lines. The basic idea was that machines could learn about themselves and improve their behaviour. The robots would learn and then use simple rules to improve their movements and make themselves faster. That original work presented real time methods that allowed robots to continue working while they automatically calculated more efficient paths for future movements. The concept that machines could learn about themselves and improve their behaviour was applied to mobile robots and tele-operated robots. From there, Professor Sanders together with his co-author Dr Giles Tewkesbury applied the idea to powered wheelchairs in collaboration with the Chailey Heritage Foundation and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
In the decade that has since passed, artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities have rapidly advanced, and the software initially designed for the factory floor has the capability to transform the lives of thousands of wheelchair users daily. AI technology gives the wheelchair user control, and sensor technology informs obstacle avoidance systems to minimise accidents. There is room for constant innovation and new ideas and applications continue to be researched.
Professor Sanders and Dr Tewkesbury are now investigating the use of artificial intelligence and engineering principles to bring self-mobility to people previously considered too intellectually impaired. This is the first time that has been attempted.Producer/Author Emerald Publishing URL https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/case-study-more-independence-disabled-young-people#problem Persons David Sanders, Giles Tewkesbury