A Prototype of Motorizing Unit for Attending Type Movement Support Apparatus Composed of Frequent Use Drive Unit and Commercial Parts

Abstract

In our research group, we are developing the electric movement support apparatus for children, who have difficulty in movement. The aim is to support the development of the cognitive ability and emotion of children, through their moving experience by themself, from childhood. In this study, first, we propose a multiuse driving unit and, using this unit, we produce some electric movement support apparatus, for example, the electric moving base for infants, the front wheel drive type powered wheelchair, the motorizing unit for the assistance use moving support apparatus, and the electric moving support apparatus to use with a standing posture. Furthermore, we demonstrate a prototype of the motorizing unit for the assistance use moving support apparatus, which is composed of the multiuse driving unit and commercial parts. The proposed approaches are useful for the discount of the production cost of the electric movement support apparatus and for the popularization of the early movement experience using electric powered apparatuses.