Make a donation today!
Current research projects
CanAssist researchers work on a variety of longer-term projects aimed at developing unique solutions for those with extremely challenging disabilities, whether physical, cognitive or a combination of both.
Our research tends to fall into
one of three general areas, and the projects described below exemplify
each of these research areas:
1) Communication and control
Example: The Headband-Operated EMG Switch with Mouse Click Box
Recent advances in technology offer the potential to significantly improve the quality of life of those with acute disabilities and challenges. In many cases, the person has extremely limited movement under his or her control and is also unable to speak, therefore having little or no means of communicating.
CanAssist researchers recognize that communication and motion detection issues are often inseparable. Accordingly, one of our key approaches is to build communication and control systems using the detection, measurement and characterization of movement and gestures. These can be associated with any part of the body, such as the movement of a single finger or eye.
In response to requests from clients or their caregivers,
CanAssist has designed a system called the Headband-Operated
EMG Switch, which helps people to communicate by contracting the muscles in
their face.
The invention uses a technique called electromyography (EMG), which evaluates electrical signals associated with the tiniest of muscle movements. Clients are fitted with a special headband lined with surface electrodes that pick up these electrical signals when facial muscles contract. The headband is then attached to a battery-powered processing unit. Using complex real-time digital filtering algorithms, the processing unit determines if the signals received exceed the switch activation threshold. This switch can be used to control a range of peripheral devices, such as a voice feedback system or a buzzer that alerts caregivers. It can also control some of the functions typically performed by a computer mouse.
For examples of other CanAssist technologies that assist in communication, please see Communication in the Technology and devices section of this website. For articles dealing specifically with EMG technologies, please see: Headband-Operated EMG Switch, Headband-Operated EMG Swith with Mouse Click Box and EMG Training for Prosthetic Arm.
2) Mobility and motion
Example: The WISP sensor system
A core area of our research relates to the detection,
quantification, enhancement and translation of movement. All activities in this
area are designed to have immediate practical applications while also allowing
us to undertake fundamental research into the nature of specific
neuro-developmental disorders.
CanAssist's research into mobility issues has lead to the development of the WISP (Wireless Inertial Sensing Package) sensor system. This system features wireless inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors similar to the technology that powers Nintendo's Wii remote. The CanAssist sensors use three measurement devices - a built-in accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope - to track their orientation at all times. This allows for human body motion capture and analysis.
Although other IMU systems are commercially available, CanAssist's technology was designed with medical applications in mind. It features a 45-foot wireless range and a 17-hour battery life. In additon, it weighs an incredibly light 43 grams. The applications of this research include areas such as gait analysis, fall prediction and gesture recognition.
For examples of other CanAssist technologies that assist in mobility and motion, please see Mobility in the Technology and devices section of this website.
3) Human-computer interaction
Example: The CanAssist Eye-Tracker
According to estimates, North Americans with disabilities are less than half as likely to own a computer as their non-disabled counterparts and are only about a quarter as likely to use the Internet.
At CanAssist, our goal is to help overcome this "digital divide" by developing multi-platform dynamic computer interface systems. These systems allow people with dexterity challenges not only to type, but also to access and use a range of useful technology. Such technologies include: critical software, such as typing programs and web browsers, and various peripheral devices, including printers, telephones, and house and environmental controls. An additional research goal is to develop systems that reduce or eliminate the dependence of users upon caregivers.
When developing these systems, our researchers adhere to two key design criteria. First, the system should work seamlessly with a variety of input devices, such as single-finger switches, head-movement detectors, eye-movement detectors, programmable touch pads and touch screens. Second, the system should be built according to the individual client's needs, but ideally will support a very large and diverse group of potential users.
Currently, a group of researchers is working on one of our longer-term projects, the CanAssist Eye-Tracker. The Eye-Tracker uses a special camera that follows a user's eye gaze. By the movement of their eyes, users are able to interact with a computer, choose music or videos, and control certain types of communication software.
The CanAssist Eye-Tracker is different from commercially
available eye tracking systems
in that it 
does not require a calibration
procedure. This has allowed CanAssist to enable users to make simple on-screen
choices with their eyes, without requiring them to understand the abstract
concept of a calibration (in which the user must follow a series of points on
the screen). Most users with steady eye gaze are able to use the CanAssist Eye
Tracker to choose between four to nine elements on the screen, where those
elements can be photographs, music, YouTube videos, or even triggers for
environmental controls.
CanAssist has developed software to work with the Eye Tracker, which allows virtual activity boards to be created specifically for each user. These boards can be populated with choices that are relevant and engaging to the user. For some, these boards contain motivational choices. For example, activating a picture of food on the screen will get the user that food item - an incentive to make further choices. Others may have a series of screens that enable communication through spelling or answering questions. The activity boards can easily be customized to fit the needs and ability of any user.
For other examples of CanAssist technologies that focus on
human-computer interaction, please see Human-Computer
Interaction in the Technology and devices section of this website.