Assistive Technology "Saving (or Enriching) Lives"

1. The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute
Assistive Technology
“Saving (or Enriching) Lives”
Mike McNair
Robotics Division Chief, UTARI

2. Vision Statement
By 2017, UTARI becomes a global leader in the research and
development of advanced technology specifically in the areas of
Advanced Manufacturing, Biomedical Technologies and Robotics.
Our focus remains enabling product development to help
humanity, providing unique, affordable solutions to complex
problems.

3. The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute
UTARI– The Big Picture
Robotic
Applications
Biomedical
Instrumentation
Government
Industry
Academia
Consortiums
Industry Groups
UTARI
- Researchers
- Facilities
UTA
- Faculty
- Students
UTARI
Capabilities
Domains
Partners
Relationships
Advanced
Manufacturing

4. The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute
UTARI Research
- Bridging the Gap -
1 9
TRL
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
UTA
Faculty
Government
& Industry
UTARI
through applied
research and development
basic research
enables
to provide
solutions to
To help Humanity through Unique and Affordable Solutions
“Assistive Technologies”

5. The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute
UTARI Focus
• It’s all about Assistive Technologies
– “Dirty, Dull, Dangerous, Difficult”
• Helping people to live more enriching lives
• Promote and facilitate personal independence
– “Living in Place”
• Address the mental, physical, and social needs
of the disabled and elderly
– Benefit the population as a whole

6. The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute
The Need for Assistive Technologies
Profile of Older Americans
• 65+ population
– 40.4 million: 2010
– Increase of 5.4 million (15.3%) since 2000
– 1 in every 8 Americans
• Average life expectancy for those over 65
– 17.3 years: male
– 20 years: female
• 85+ population
– 5.5 million: 2010
– 6.6 million: 2020
• 20% of Americans have disabilities
Profile of Wounded Warriors
• World War I and II
– 1.7 soldiers for every 1 soldier killed
• Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation
Enduring Freedom
– 7 soldiers wounded for every 1 soldier
killed
• As of 1 April 2014
– Deaths: 6801
– Wounded: 53,684
– TBI: 320,000 (est)
– PTS: 400,000 (est)

7. The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute
Disabilities in the U.S.
* 2012 Data
0.8% 5.3%
5.5%
10.4%
25.0%
50.0%
Disability Rate by Age
< 4 years
5 to 15 years
16 to 20 years
21 to 64 years
65 to 74 years
75+ years
2.20%
3.40%
6.90%
4.90%
2.70%
5.60%
74.30%
Disability Type
Visual Disability
Hearing Disability
Ambulatory Disability
Cognitive Disability
Self-Care Disability
Independent Living
Disability
• Approximately ¾ of the U.S. disabled
population is 65 years and above
• Approximately 25% of the U.S.
population has some kind of
disability
The need is great and the need is real.

8. The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute
Robotic Applications and
Industrial Automation
• Smart Home Technologies
• Unmanned Systems
• Low Volume / Lean Manufacturing

9. The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute
Biomedical Instrumentation
• Preventative and Assistive Medical Devices
• Bioelectronics
• Tissue Regeneration and Wound Care

10. The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute
What’s Common?
• Two focus areas
– Unmanned Systems
– Smart Homes and Assistive Technologies
• Focus on Robotic Technologies
– Robots are a solution in a domain space
• Common Technologies
– Sensing
– Manipulation
– Mobility / Navigation
– Interconnectivity
The lessons and benefits in Unmanned Technologies benefit
the needs and objectives of Assistive Technologies

11. The University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute
See us in Booth 970
• Booth focus on
– Smart Homes
– Unmanned Systems
• More than happy to talk about our other
activities as well