CONYERS, Ga., June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GeckoSystems Intl.
Corp. (Pink Sheets: GOSY | http://www.geckosystems.com/) announced
today that GeckoChat(tm) verbal interaction software will be
integrated with their SafePath wheelchair navigation solution for
use by quadriplegics and others who have control of speech but are
unable to reliably manipulate a joystick control.
GeckoChat was created in 2003 for GeckoSystems' elder care and
personal assistance robot the CareBot(tm). It was designed to
provide medication and scheduling reminders and record compliance
for the care receiver. GeckoSystems is a leader in the emerging
mobile robotics industry, dedicated to providing Mobile Robot
Solutions for Safety, Security and Service(tm).
Unlike other systems now in development (Most notable is
MIT's intelligent wheelchair project:
http://rvsn.csail.mit.edu/wheelchair/ ) the SafePath
voice-controlled wheelchair would give the user complete control
with no need for pre-mapping by a caregiver, as it is a completely
autonomous AI navigation system using GeckoNav(tm).
Disabled users with both GeckoChat and the SafePath mobile robot
solution will be able to enter a totally unknown indoor space and
safely explore it by voice command. A SafePath solution,
GeckoNav(tm), will be used to avoid obstacles and achieve
endpoints. The user, for future reference, may mark endpoints and
waypoints by the system so that multiple verbal commands may be
replaced by one single verbal command.
GeckoSystems SafePath technologies are a constellation of AI
solutions: GeckoSuper(tm), GeckoNav, GeckoImager(tm),
GeckoSteer(tm) and GeckoMotorController(tm) software. Like all
GeckoSystems software, GeckoChat is an extensible AI paradigm. It
uses speech recognition/synthesis protocols available in thirteen
languages so SafePath enabled voice-controlled chairs can be used
worldwide.
GeckoNav is an innovative automatic, self-navigation system
created by GeckoSystems that merges AI and robotic technologies
with traditional steering and locomotion systems. GeckoNav goes
beyond the simple, reactive collision avoidance systems now being
used in automobiles and other wheelchair applications. The
autopilot seek feature of GeckoNav lets the user specify a
destination via joystick or any available method and achieve it
despite unforeseen static and/or moving obstacles. The GeckoNav AI
engine takes over collision avoidance, speed adjustment for safety,
and compensates for variations in terrain such as slippery or
uneven surfaces in concert with the GeckoMotorController
software.
There are approximately 2.2 million people in the United States alone that use a wheelchair
for everyday activities. Approximately 15% of those people now use
power wheelchairs, but this number is artificially low because many
people who would benefit from the use of a power wheelchair are
unable to have one. Medicare applications for wheelchairs
specifically ask "Does this patient have the physical and mental
abilities to operate a power wheelchair safely in the
home?" GeckoSystems believes that the availability of
SafePath Enabled wheelchairs along with joysticks or alternative
control devices (such as GeckoChat, sip and puff, and neural
controls) could easily double or triple the size of the power
wheelchair market.
GeckoSystems' SafePath mobile robot solutions are not just an
R&D concept. It is a ready to market solution built
primarily from off-the-shelf hardware using GeckoSystems
proprietary software. Once GeckoSystems has created and tested a
software calibration tool for GeckoImager(tm) the company plans to
market an aftermarket upgrade kit for power wheelchairs already in
service. GeckoSystems welcomes licensing inquiries for both
indoor and outdoor applications.
http://www.geckosystems.com/markets/licensing.php
The Need:
In 2000 a comprehensive study of the need for better navigation
studies was commissioned by the U.S. Veteran's administration:
Adequacy of power wheelchair control interfaces for persons
with severe disabilities: A clinical survey – Linda Fehr, MS; W. Edwin
Langbein, PhD; Steven B.
Skaar, PhD
http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/00/37/3/fehr.htm
The abstract quoted:
The extreme difficulty with which persons with severe
disabilities have been taught to maneuver a power wheelchair has
been described in case studies, and anecdotal evidence suggests the
existence of a patient population for whom mobility is severely
limited if not impossible given currently available power
wheelchair control interfaces. Since our review of the literature
provided little evidence either in support or refutation of the
adequacy of existing power wheelchair control interfaces, we
surveyed 200 practicing clinicians, asking them to provide
information about their patients and to give their impressions of
the potential usefulness of a new power wheelchair navigation
technology.
Significant survey results were:
- Clinicians indicated that 9 to 10 percent of patients who
receive power wheelchair training find it extremely difficult or
impossible to use the wheelchair for activities of daily
living.
- When asked specifically about steering and maneuvering
tasks, the percentage of patients reported to find these difficult
or impossible jumped to 40%.
- Eighty-five percent of responding clinicians reported seeing
some number of patients each year who cannot use a power wheelchair
because they lack the requisite motor skills, strength, or visual
acuity. Of these clinicians, 32% (27% of all respondents) reported
seeing at least as many patients who cannot use a power wheelchair
as who can.
- Nearly half of patients unable to control a power wheelchair
by conventional methods would benefit from an automated navigation
system, according to the clinicians who treat them.
- We believe these results indicate a need, not for more
innovation in steering interfaces, but for entirely new
technologies for supervised autonomous navigation.
Market Evaluation for Colchester Catalyst on the use of
Robotic Wheelchairs
In 2011 Colchester Catalyst, a UK non-profit that provides
wheelchairs to those in need commissioned a market evaluation on
the use of robotic wheelchairs.
GeckoSystems was the only company found to have a marketable
robotic wheelchair solution.
http://www.essex.ac.uk/csee/research/publications/technicalreports/2010/CES-514.pdf
The Technology:
The software used to dramatically improve wheelchair safety is
adapted from the suite of hardware and software solutions
GeckoSystems has developed for their elder care and personal
assistance robot, the CareBot. An overview of high-level
Artificial Intelligence software used in CareBot and SafePath
applications is available at:
http://www.geckosystems.com/high_level/.
GeckoSystems International Partnerships:
November 25, 2011 - GeckoSystems
announced plans for a wheelchair joint venture in the People's
Republic of China:
http://www.geckosystems.com/investors/press_releases/20111110_Wheelchair%20JV.php
The company is still actively engaged in discussions with
representatives of both the Chinese government and the
company. GeckoChat integration into SafePath enabled
wheelchairs is one of the enhancements requested by the Chinese
Joint Venture.
November 2, 2011 - ZMP of
Japan announced its intent to join
with GeckoSystems in an R&D partnership.
http://www.geckosystems.com/investors/press_releases/20111123_ZMP_MOU.php.
Information about ZMP:
http://www.geckosystems.com/partners/about_zmp.php
February 12, 2012 -GeckoSystems
sends their GeckoMotorController software source code to ZMP
engineers for evaluation.
http://www.geckosystems.com/low_level/geckomotor.php
March 10, 2012 – A BaseBot(tm)
prototype sent to ZMP for evaluation and for use as a research tool
for future migrations of SafePath technology to ZMP applications.
http://www.geckosystems.com/markets/BaseBot.php
ZMP is now testing the BaseBot and becoming familiar with
navigation within an Artificial Intelligence (AI)
environment. ZMP is a world leader in embedded robotics
systems. GeckoSystems believes that the addition of an AI layer to
their robotic systems will open many new markets for ZMP's robot
technologies.
About GeckoSystems:
GeckoSystems has been developing innovative robotic technology for
fifteen years. It is CEO Martin
Spencer's dream to make people's lives better through
robotic technology.
GeckoSystems, Star Wars(tm) Technology
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYwQBUXXc3g
The company has successfully completed an Alpha trial of its
CareBot personal assistance robot for the elderly. It was
tested in a home care setting and received enthusiastic support
from both caregivers and care receivers. The company
believes that the CareBot will increase the safety and well being
of its elderly charges while decreasing stress on the caregiver and
the family.
Gecko Systems is preparing for Beta testing of the CareBot prior
to full-scale production and marketing. CareBot has
recently incorporated Microsoft Kinect motion sensors that will
result in a significant cost reduction.
Kinect Enabled Personal Robot video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn93BS44Das
Above, the CareBot demonstrates static and dynamic obstacle
avoidance as it backs in and out of a narrow and cluttered
alley. There is no joystick control or programmed path;
movements are smoother that those achieved using a joystick
control. GeckoNav creates three low levels of obstacle
avoidance: reactive, proactive, and contemplative.
Subsumptive AI behavior within GeckoNav enables the CareBot to
reach its target destination after engaging in obstacle
avoidance.
More information on the CareBot personal assistance robot:
http://www.geckosystems.com/markets/CareBot.php
GeckoSystems stock is quoted in the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC)
markets under the ticker symbol GOSY.
Telephone:
Main number: 1-866-CAREBOT (227-3268)
International: +1 678-413-9236
Fax: +1 678-413-9247
Website: http://www.geckosystems.com
Safe Harbor:
Statements regarding financial matters in this press release other
than historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
Company intends that such statements about the Company's future
expectations, including future revenues and earnings, technology
efficacy and all other forward-looking statements be subject to the
Safe Harbors created thereby. The Company is a development stage
firm that continues to be dependent upon outside capital to sustain
its existence. Since these statements (future operational results
and sales) involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to
change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ
materially from expected results.
SOURCE GeckoSystems Intl. Corp.
