The development of an assistance system that optimally supports the users requires a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting body schema integration and user acceptance. Therefore, factor models need to be identified and checked for the connection between properties of the assistance system, e.g., feedback (audible, visual, haptic) and support provided (major, moderate, low), as well as the context of use, e.g., the subsoil (even, rising, slippery, stony) and model the two factors of body schema representation and integration.

Research will be performed for identification of the mental models of individuals with disabilities for the control of assistive systems, considering different degrees of support, and utilizing qualitative interviews and experience sampling. Factor models for cognitive modeling of sensory integration for disabled individuals, e.g. the influence of visual, acoustic, and/or haptic feedback, are formulated and reviewed.

Funded by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

Website: https://www.tu-darmstadt.de/lokoassist/home_lokoassist/start_lokoassist/index.de.jsp

Contact: Otilia Pasnicu, M.Sc.