Development of a wireless voice control system for rehabilitative devices

Voice-controlled devices are being explored for applications in various fields including medicine. The voice-controlled technology has shown great promises for the differently-abled persons to control rehabilitative devices without engaging their hands. This allows them to concentrate on the work to be done with hands. In the present study, a voice-controlled device was developed capable of wirelessly transmitting the control signals to the rehabilitative device. A quadbot was used as a representative of the rehabilitative device and the technology can be extended for operating rehabilitation aids (e.g. voice-controlled wheelchair and robotic arms). 10 volunteers were trained on the device. All the volunteers were easily able to initiate the desired movement of the quadbot. As per the feedback from the volunteers, the device was found to be user friendly.