Just wishful thinking....or Real Possibilities?

Can we, technologists and users, change the world we create and function in?
Dare we.....

• Design robotic devices to cost - for home use.

It makes business sense to sell a 100,000 robotic rehab devices (thats less than 1% of the world's disabled population) annually costing USD 5000 rather than a 500 pieces annually costing USD 100,000. Most technology companies are doing the latter.

• Adopt Universal design principles for greater social inclusion

There are no clear biological indicators yet that a disabled person will recover completely through therapy. In such a case, can we still achieve social inclusion and integration? Can we create rehab devices which the whole family can use, therapy for those who need it , biofeedback training, collective play, etc. for healthy family members for health enhancement and fun?

• Certification as a fringe benefit to regained motor function

There is a need to view the disabled person as a potential social resource rather than a burden. Their population is skyrocketing so we might as well. Can a person who has mastered the use of a robotic device and regained, say, 80% of his motor function, be "certified" as a trainer for recent patients, under the guidance of therapists?

• Pay back in future

Can we design devices which will generate revenue for the user in the long run? How many ways can we devise for the user to see it as a worthwhile investment?

• Modular design with Plug and Play compatibility

No robotic device currently seamlessly communicates with any other, although each one has their own positive and negative features. Considering the diversity of functional impairments and the fact that the user requirements change with progress in rehab, which hospital will be able to provide comprehensive facilities without a massive investment?

• Converting home use items into rehab devices

Can a wrist flexion operate a TV remote or a quaricep contraction click a mouse? This will increase clinical relevance as well as number of daily repetitions in practiceCan we bring into the design not just activities of daily living (ADL) but also activities of daily enjoyment (ADE)? This is within the reach of current technology.

• Mobile systems which communicate

Can a rehabilitation robotic device go wherever the user wants it to go. Can it have internet access to transmit data and to download new routines/games/music over the net which enriches the prescribed rehab protocol? It is within the reach of current technology.

• Making a person "whole" again

The technology we possess today demands a new definition of "quality of life"(QOL). We can attempt to give a richer life experience to the user by incorporating in the device, features which integrate body, mind, spirit and society/environment - in short bringing together a person's inner and outer worlds and weaving a beautiful bowstring.