Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - now entering its eighteenth year - that explores the design, development, and use of assistive technology that benefits people with disabilities and older adults. It consists of semi-weekly in-person discussions; lectures by notable professionals, clinicians, and assistive technology users; a tour of an accessible inclusive playground; student project presentations and demonstrations; and an Assistive Technology Faire. Check out the course website.

Guest Lecturer Schedule - The schedule of guest lecturers has been finalized. For more information about each presenter and their topic, browse to the course lecture schedule webpage. Community members are welcome to attend class sessions on campus. Maps and direcrions. Masking is not required. There will not be a concurrent Zoom broadcast.

Tuesday, January 29th at 4:30pm PST - In-Person

Abstract: "Brainstem trauma or neurodegenerative diseases can often result in the inability to move or speak, despite intact cognition. The inability to communicate often results in severely decreased quality of life for individuals living with these conditions. Our recent work has shown that brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), can employ neural signals to accurately decode attempted handwriting and speech at speeds that begin to enable naturalistic conversation, and thus improve quality of life."

Biosketch: Erin Michelle Kunz is currently an electrical engineering PhD Candidate in the Stanford Neural Prosthetics Translational Lab (NPTL) with Professors Jaimie Henderson and Shaul Druckmann (and formerly Professor Krishna Shenoy). Her research focuses on developing high-performance speech neuroprosthesis as well as understanding the neural basis of speech and language.

Thursday, February 1st at 4:30pm PST - In-Person

Abstract: A few years ago the Salisbury Robotics Lab in Stanford's AI Lab studied the design and application of wearable robotic devices. Our initial aspirations were to build a sophisticated motorized device that was programmable and which would be a platform for machine learning research in human-robot interaction (HRI). While we never reached this lofty goal we did realize that there might be some low-hanging fruit applications that could exploit inexpensive 3-D printed arms with manually actuated brakes and a variety of end-effectors. We built many prototypes and investigated applications in logistics, fulfillment centers, construction, daily activities, and other domains. Though the arms were not yet a commercial success, we feel that there are potential assistive and other applications yet to be discovered. Several of the arms will be demonstrated at the presentation and are available for student experimentation.

Biosketch: J. Kenneth Salisbury, Jr., PhD is an Emeritus Professor at Stanford jointly appointed in Computer Science and Clinical Anatomy. His degrees in EE and ME are from Stanford. He is a prolific inventor who has made fundamental contributions in robot hand and arm design and control, as well as in personal robotics, haptics, and medical robotics. He has over 50 patents in these fields.

• Tuesday, February 6th - Issues of Human Interface Design
• Thursday, February 8th - Assistive Robotics

Product manufactuers and service providers are invited to participate in the Assistive Technology Faire - This twelfth annual course event is scheduled for Thursday, February 22nd and will provide an opportunity for students and community members to get an up-close look at a variety of assistive technology devices and learn about available services. Users of assistive technology products as well as small companies and agencies serving individuals with disabilities and older adults are encouraged to join in on this event. Browse to the Call for Assistive Technology Faire Participants webpage for more information and contact me to register.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event. Here is the current line up and slides from last year's Faire.