The WeeBot: Development of a Unique Powered Mobility Device for Very Young Infants through Transdisciplinary Collaboration

Abstract

In this presentation we will discuss the transdisciplinary research approach used to develop a powered mobility device for infants and why collaborations between technologist and clinicians should start early, and on the clinical side. The WeeBot is a powered mobility device shown to provide independent, hands-free, and self-directed movement to infants as young as 6 months old. The control method is innovative: The device moves in the direction that the child leans, making it a more intuitive device than anything currently available. Additional safety features reduce the risks inherent in providing powered mobility to infants this young. The origin of the WeeBot as a research project began with a collaboration between a pediatric Occupational Therapist whose experience in early intervention provided the unsolved problem Roboticist with an interest in solving real world problems. Providing mobility is now viewed as a beneficial aspect of therapy, but the general approach is "movement for movements sake". The WeeBot team which had added a Pediatric Physical Therapist and Development Psychologist, believed that movement with purpose was the key to gains in future milestones. Current technologies struggle to provide this – most infants can't fully control devices that use joysticks/switches. The technologist understanding the problem but not bound by disciplinary history, could provide a unique perspective on the a solution and hence the WeeBot came to be. A start-up company, Assistance in Motion, founded by the core of the research team is now working to commercialize and make this device available to clinicians and parents.