Researchers at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories, part of the University of Pittsburgh’s schools of the health sciences and affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, debuted a new wheelchair prototype on April 21 designed to help users overcome daily mobility challenges.
The device, known as the Robotic Assistive Mobility and Manipulation Platform (RAMMP), aims to empower people with disabilities by enabling them to navigate curbs without ramps, handle uneven terrain, open doors, and carry beverages. The project is supported by an award of up to $41.5 million over five years from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“With RAMMP, we’re trying to build the field of robotics for people with disabilities and older adults. Projects like this could inspire generations of people,” said Rory Cooper, Distinguished Professor of Rehabilitation Engineering and founding director and VA senior research career scientist at HERL.
The RAMMP system incorporates advanced robotics technology including a robotic arm equipped with sensors that simulate human arm movements using cameras and machine learning algorithms. During a demonstration event in Pittsburgh, disability activist D.J. Stemmler showed how she could use a touch pad to command the robotic arm to open doors or bring her coffee directly to her mouth.
“Wheelchair users should embrace technology. RAMMP could be a way to do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it. You’re in control,” said Stemmler during her demonstration.
The project brings together partners from private businesses LUCI, Kinova and ATDev as well as university collaborators Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University and Northeastern University. Anantha Shekhar, senior vice chancellor for health sciences at Pitt’s School of Medicine said: “Scientists have a lot of dreams, but without the appropriate support, funding and infrastructure we cannot achieve those great ambitions that we have to benefit society.”
Both Cooper and Stemmler emphasized that input from people with disabilities is central throughout development: “To be engaged in the community means not just taking but giving back,” Cooper said.
As research continues under this grant-funded partnership effort—the first ARPA-H project led by Pitt—observers expect further innovations aimed at promoting independence for individuals who use wheelchairs.
