Care-O-bot/sup TM/: the concept of a system for assisting elderly or disabled persons in home environments

Medical expenses are increasing drastically all over the world. More than 30% of these expenses are related to elderly people. By the year 2030 the number of 60 year old people will have doubled. Technical aids are required allowing people to live independently and be supported in their private homes as long as they wish. As a contribution to these required technological solutions a demonstrator platform for a mobile home care system-called Care-O-bot/sup TM/-was designed and implemented by Fraunhofer IPA, Stuttgart. The Care-O-bot/sup TM/ is a mobile service robot which has the capability to perform fetch and carry and various supporting tasks in home environments. Main emphasis is laid in communicational and social integrating tasks, like video telephone, automatic emergency calls and interactive communication. Focus of work performed so far is the mechanical design and realisation of the vehicle, the development of the control system architecture, the implementation and testing of navigation and motion algorithms. The integration of a sensor guided robotic arm is part of the next development phase.