Adaptive aid for environmental control: the ASPICE project

The quality of life of people suffering from severe motor disabilities can benefit from the use of current assistive technology capable of ameliorating communication, house-environment management and mobility, according to the user's residual motor abilities. The ASPICE project aims to develop an Assistive System for Patient's Increase of Communication, ambient control and mobility in absence of muscular Effort. Different disability level means different system users: from people confined to a wheelchair to neuromotor disabled persons. Here we report on a pilot study in which ASPICE tries to improve or recover their mobility (directly or by emulation) and communication within the surrounding environment. The system pivots around a software controller running on a portable computer to offer a proper interface for the user through different interfaces, selected by the individual's residual abilities.