NIH Funds Robots to Assist People with Disabilities
From: Bioscience Technology - 12/08/2014

Robots interact with patients to help in rehabilitation and movement

New research in robotics might help with stroke rehabilitation, guide
wheelchairs, and assist children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Projects
investigating co-robotics are the focus of new funding from the National
Institutes of Health.

This is the third year NIH has participated in the Interagency National
Robotics Initiative (NRI) to support research to develop innovative co-robots
— robots that work cooperatively with people. Other participants are the
National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, and the US Department of Agriculture. Funding for these
projects totals approximately $2.3 million over the next five years, subject
to the availability of funds.

Projects:
  Wearable exoskeletons to induce recovery of function
  A computer vision-based active learning co-robot wheelchair 
  Music-based interactive robotic orchestration for children with Autism
    Spectrum Disorder 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.biosciencetechnology.com/news/2014/12/nih-funds-robots-assist-people-disabilities
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/dec2014/nibib-08.htm

Links:
National Robotics Initiative (NRI)
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503641

Notice of Updates to the National Robotics Initiative (NRI)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-EB-14-008.html

Disabled Could Benefit from NIH-Backed Robotics
http://www.mdtmag.com/news/2014/12/disabled-could-benefit-nih-backed-robotics