Evaluating Ergonomics and Usability: User Interface Design for Wheelchair Mounted Assistive Robots for Activities of Daily Living

Research Objectives: To assess the ergonomics and usability of wheelchair-mounted assistive robot interfaces for improving the daily living activities of those with mobility impairments. The study evaluates interface designs through usability tests to find optimal elements that meet user needs and preferences, aiming to refine the interface for better user experience and increased autonomy.

Design: A mixed-method research design.

Setting: In the BioRobotics Lab.

Participants: Six healthy participants with a mean age of 30.50

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures: The study's main outcomes are the usability score from the System Usability Scale (SUS) for interface effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction; task completion time and error rate to measure interface efficiency and intuitiveness; and user satisfaction assessed through post-interaction feedback, emphasizing comfort, and ease of use.

Results: The user interface (UI) evaluation for the wheelchair-mounted assistive robot, designed to enhance the independence and quality of life for individuals with mobility impairments, yielded promising results. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the UI's focus on accessibility, intuitiveness, and adaptability, particularly praising its key features such as individual on/off buttons for each joint, reset functionality, and the 'Home' button for returning the robotic arm to a reliable starting position. The integration of the robot with the wheelchair's control systems via a built-in joystick, operating in Cyclic Synchronous Position (CSP) mode for precise movement control, was noted as a significant advantage, alongside the comprehensive options for gripper control, and the clarity of joint status displays. The inclusion of joint-based control through a custom-made keypad, as well as alternative control methods like chin joystick and eye gaze systems, was highly valued for accommodating a wide range of physical abilities, ensuring the robot's accessibility. The ability to adjust safety parameters directly through the UI was also a critical feature, allowing users to customize settings for a secure interaction experience. The findings indicate that the UI effectively meets user needs and preferences, significantly enhancing user experience and autonomy for individuals with mobility challenges, highlighting the impact of user-centered design in developing assistive technologies.

Conclusions: The study finds that user-centered UI design enhances interaction and autonomy for those with mobility impairments. Key features like adaptive controls and customizable safety settings effectively meet varied needs. It underscores the importance of user feedback in developing assistive robots that improve quality of life, advocating for a user-focused approach in assistive technology development.

Author(s) Disclosures: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.