Research Programs
As a complement to our project-based activities, CanAssist’s research program addresses longer-term and more fundamentally challenging areas. Our core research projects are often the precursors to many individualized technology solutions.
Our research themes fall into three general areas: communication and control; mobility and motion; and human-computer interaction.
1. Communication and Control
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.
Our research approach to this challenge recognizes that communication and motion detection issues are often inseparable. Thus, 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. Another approach measures and characterizes electromyographic (EMG) signals associated with muscle movements.
Examples of CanAssist’s communication and control research can be found in the Technology Showcase.
2. Mobility and Motion
Another 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.
For examples of CanAssist’s mobility and motion research, please see the Technology Showcase.
3. Human-Computer Interaction
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, such as 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; for example, 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.
Our initial focus for this research is directed at the special needs community, with the overall goal of bringing about a major advance in human-computer interfaces for those with disabilities. However, these systems may eventually have significant applications beyond the disability community. For example, future users could include the elderly, computer novices or those who use personal digital assistants.
For examples of CanAssist’s human-computer interaction research, see the Technology Showcase.
