TRUST: ROBOTICS AND HAPTICS FOR EXTREME INTERACTION AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN

by BRIAN DUFFY, LIZBETH GOODMAN, JEREMI SUDOL, JAMES BROSNAN, JANA RIEDEL

This paper chronicles the past five years of research and practice engaged in by the Trust Project Team, most recently working on site at the Stephen Hawking School for children and young people with complex multiple disabilities. TRUST seeks to offer young people with limited physical ability the tools with which to engage in rich 3d imaginative environments that encourage relaxation and healing. The project has to date been tested in various iterations in the Montefiore Hospital for Children (Bronx, New York), The CRC (Central Remedial Clinic Dublin), the KK Hospital for Children (with NTU Gamelab, Singapore) and the Stephen Hawking School, London. The haptic elements of the game and interaction design have been employed to great effect in the most recent iteration of our InterFACES Project as well. The results have been featured in the Science Museum (London) showcase on Future Games, and will soon be redesigned for more site specific installations.