Man machine cooperation in the robotized system MASTER

Fast improvements of technology contribute to an increase in the autonomy of severely handicapped persons who can stay alone, without an attendant, for a few hours a day, safely. The robotized system MASTER meets this need. Its manipulator arm grasps aid handles objects and collaborates with the disabled user and an environmental control system, thus performing tasks of daily life such as helping with drinking or listening to music, fetching an object, dialing, etc., and facilitating rehabilitation of the disabled into active life. MASTER uses a modification of a commercially available arm. The control system includes a controller, a user interface and a configuring/programming unit. Control may be manual (in that the user describes the moves to be made) or automatic