A review of smart homes-Present state and future challenges

In recent years, new research has brought the field of electroencephalogram (EEG)-based brain–computer interfacing (BCI) out of its infancy and into a phase of relative maturity through many demonstrated prototypes such as brain-controlled wheelchairs, keyboards, and computer games. With this proof-of-concept phase in the past, the time is now ripe to focus on the development of practical BCI technologies that can be brought out of the lab and into real-world applications. In particular, we focus on the prospect of improving the lives of countless disabled individuals through a combination of BCI technology with existing assistive technologies (AT). In pursuit of more practical BCIs for use outside of the lab, in this paper, we identify four application areas where disabled individuals could greatly benefit from advancements in BCI technology, namely, “Communication and Control”, “Motor Substitution”, “Entertainment”, and “Motor Recovery”. We review the current state of the art and possible future developments, while discussing the main research issues in these four areas. In particular, we expect the most progress in the development of technologies such as hybrid BCI architectures, user–machine adaptation algorithms, the exploitation of users’ mental states for BCI reliability and confidence measures, the incorporation of principles in human–computer interaction (HCI) to improve BCI usability, and the development of novel BCI technology including better EEG devices.

Combining Brain-Computer Interfaces and Assistive Technologies: State-of-the-Art and Challenges.

List of figures and tables Acknowledgments Prologue Part I. Theory and Function: 1. The structure of emotions 2. Intuitive and empirical approaches to understanding 3. Rationality and emotions 4. Mutual plans and social emotions Part II. Conflict and Unpredictability: 5. Plans and emotions in fictional narrative 6. Stress and distress 7. Freud's cognitive psychology of intention: the case of Dora Part III. Enjoyment and Creativity: 8. Happiness 9. Putting emotions into words Epilogue Notes References Author index Subject index.

Best-Laid Schemes: A Psychology of Emotions.

— Several studies have shown that both children andadults benefit substantially from access to a means of indepen-dent mobility. While the needs of many individuals with disabil-ities can be satisfied with traditional manual or poweredwheelchairs, a segment of the disabled community finds it diffi-cult or impossible to use wheelchairs independently. To accom-modate this population, researchers have used technologiesoriginally developed for mobile robots to create “smart wheel-chairs.” Smart wheelchairs have been the subject of researchsince the early 1980s and have been developed on four conti-nents. This article presents a summary of the current state of theart and directions for future research. Key words: artificial intelligence, independent mobility, infra-red range finder, laser range finder, machine vision, powerwheelchairs, robotics, sonar, subsumption, voice control. INTRODUCTION Several studies have shown that both children andadults benefit substantially from access to a means ofindependent mobility, including power wheelchairs, man-ual wheelchairs, scooters, a nd walkers [1–2]. Independentmobility increases vocational and educational opportuni-ties, reduces dependence on caregivers and family mem-bers, and promotes feelings of self-reliance. For youngchildren, independent mobility serves as the foundationfor much early learning [1]. Nonambulatory children lackaccess to the wealth of stimuli afforded self-ambulatingchildren. This lack of exploration and control often pro-duces a cycle of deprivation and reduced motivation thatleads to learned helplessness [3].For adults, independent mobility is an importantaspect of self-esteem and plays a pivotal role in “aging inplace.” For example, if older people find it increasinglydifficult to walk or wheel themselves to the commode,they may do so less often or they may drink less fluid toreduce the frequency of urination. If they become unableto walk or wheel themselves to the commode and help isnot routinely available in the home when needed, a moveto a more enabling environment (e.g., assisted living) maybe necessary. Mobility limitati ons are the leading cause offunctional limitations among adults, with an estimatedprevalence of 40 per 1,000 persons age 18 to 44 and 188per 1,000 at age 85 and older [4]. Mobility difficulties arealso strong predictors of activities of daily living (ADL)and instrumental ADL disabi lities because of the need to

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Smart wheelchairs: A literature review.

Contemporary games are making significant strides towards offering complex, immersive experiences for players. We can now explore sprawling 3D virtual environments populated by beautifully rendered characters and objects with autonomous behavior, engage in highly visceral action-oriented experiences offering a variety of missions with multiple solutions, and interact in ever-expanding online worlds teeming with physically customizable player avatars.

https://www.cc.gatech.edu/~isbell/reading/papers/MateasSternGDC03.pdf

Façade: An Experiment in Building a Fully-Realized Interactive Drama

The SENARIO project is develoing a sensor-aided intelligent navigation system that provides high-level navigational aid to users of powered wheelchairs. The authors discuss new and improved technologies developed within SENARIO concerning task/path planning, sensing and positioning for indoor mobile robots as well as user interface issues. The autonomous mobile robot SENARIO, supports semi- or fully autonomous navigation. In semi-autonomous mode the system accepts typical motion commands through a voice-activated or standard joystick interface and supports robot motion with obstacle/collision avoidance features. Fully autonomous mode is a superset of semi-autonomous mode with the additional ability to execute autonomously high-level go-to-goal commands. At its current stage, the project has succeeded in fully supporting semi-autonomous navigation, while experiments on the fully autonomous mode are very encouraging.

The autonomous mobile robot SENARIO: a sensor aided intelligent navigation system for powered wheelchairs

Dynamic generation, management and resolution of interactive plots

This paper presents a framework for plot control in interactive story systems. In this framework, the user takes the place of the main character of the story, the protagonist. The rest of the cast consists of discrete characters, each playing a specific role in the story. A separate module in this system, the plot manager, controls the behavior of the cast and specifies what the protagonist can do. The story plot is dynamically shaped by the interference between cast members and their social interactions. The system accepts as input a story map which provides the main metaphor for organizing the plot and localizes the interaction of the protagonist with the rest of the cast. We are implementing this framework in PEGASUS, an interactive travel story environment for Greek mythology.

A framework for plot control in interactive story systems

We describe a novel global path planning method for autonomous qualitative navigation in indoor environments Global path planning operates on top of a qualitative map of the environment that describes variations in sensor behavior between adjacent regions in space The method takes into consideration the global topology of the environment and applies a set of criteria that can minimize the errors in the navigational accuracy of a robotic wheelchair Our approach uses a modified version of the Dijkstra's shortest path algorithm that takes into consideration the curvature of the trajectory and the off-wall distance of the map points The algorithm computes in real-time a set of optimal paths for reaching the destination We have tested our global path planning method in simulation in representative indoor environments with above average complexity Based on these experiments we have determined empirically a set of values for the parameters of the algorithm that almost always lead to the selection of optimal paths in these environments

Global path planning for autonomous qualitative navigation

We describe a novel dynamic dramatization method for narrative presentations. This method accepts as input the original story material, along with a description of its plot written in a special-purpose language. It then analyzes the plot to iden~ interesting dramatic situations in the story. Based on this content analysis, a presentation manager organizes the presentation and enriches it with appropriate multimedia effects. These effects are associated with interesting dramatic situations, and serve to increase suspense and emphasize plot developments in the narrative. Our method can be used for the development of intelligent front-ends to story databases, for directing assistants in computer-based renditions of narrative works, or for real-time direction of interactive entertainment systems. We are integrating this system in an interactive storytelling environment for Greek mythology.

Nikitas M. Sgouros

Papers

The autonomous mobile robot SENARIO: a sensor aided intelligent navigation system for powered wheelchairs

Dynamic generation, management and resolution of interactive plots

A framework for plot control in interactive story systems

Global path planning for autonomous qualitative navigation

Dynamic dramatization of multimedia story presentations