University of Pittsburgh researchers have invented a robotic seated workstation interface (RSWI) to improve accessibility for people with disabilities or mobility impairments in the workplace. The device, designed with four degrees of freedom, can enable people to access jobs traditionally done while standing. RSWI allows users full motion within a work environment and could improve the career prospects of many people with disabilities.
Description
Employment offers more than a financial benefit. It can form a large part of someone’s identity and provides psychosocial benefits. Nearly one in five people with disabilities are unemployed. There is a great need to make workplaces more accessible as this is often a barrier to employment. Many jobs, like package fulfilment and work at fast-food counters are not accessible to people with mobility impairments because of the need to change height, to have full range of motion while standing, or to move within a workspace. RSWI is designed to provide employers with an accessibility solution to improve employment options for people with disabilities.
Applications
• Employment accessibility
• Veteran employability
Advantages
There currently exists several methods to improve workplace accessibility for desk-based roles, including wheelchairs with powered seat elevation and desks with adjustable heights. These methods all have shortcomings, such as availability (cost of devices are not always covered by insurance) and restrictive use (users are unable to reach forward, left or right—limiting people to office or bench work). With e-commerce sector growth there is a need to improve workplace accessibility in fulfilment centers where staff are required to work at variable heights and have full range of motion.
The RSWI is designed to provide postural support, full range of motion for the user, and moveability within a work environment, allowing users to function at the same level of performance as their unimpaired colleagues. It is also designed to be ergonomic, reliable, and easily stored when not in use.
Invention Readiness
A prototype device was developed with a power-adjustable footrest, lateral movement, up and down movement, and seat rotation. The RSWI was tested in a package fulfilment warehouse. The device could be included in existing workstation layouts with little modification. Addition or removal from the workstation required only a pallet jack, commonly available in fulfilment centers. In feasibility testing, users could rapidly transfer to the seat and reported feelings of comfort and safety. In some participants, performance was comparable to unimpaired colleagues. Currently, this RSWI is aimed at wheelchair users, but will likely benefit those with lower limb prosthetics, crutches, canes, or orthotics to improve workplace accessibility. Additionally, the position of the seat could be preprogrammed to each user’s needs, allowing for shared use. Feedback from feasibility study participants can be used to optimize the design of RSWI.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US12096863B2
