IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine - March 2013 - 19

visual feature estimation of a target
object in the control of hand-assistive
devices. Experimental validation of the
image processing method jointly used
with online control of a robotic hand in
grasp tasks demonstrates the systems'
ability to discriminate among four different affordances. The article by Pilarski et al. proposes a new approach to
real-time prediction learning during
myoelectric control, thus addressing
one important challenge of assistive
devices, the amputee-specific adaptation during the ongoing operation of a
prosthetic device.
The article "Brain-Controlled
Wheelchairs" by Carlson et al. focuses
on user interface and control systems
for mobility robotic aids by proposing
the use of noninvasive BCIs to guide a
powered wheelchair. The authors present a shared control architecture that
couples the intelligence and desires

of the user with the precision of a
powered wheelchair. An interesting
comparative experimental analysis
between an asynchronous motor-
imagery-based BCI protocol and a
synchronous P300-based approach is
also carried out.
Finally, an example of SARs is provided in "Brian 2.1" by McColl et al.
The authors present the expressive,
humanlike SAR Brian 2.1 designed to
engage the elderly in both self-care
and cognitively stimulating leisure
activities. A reflection on user acceptability is given through an experimental study of human-robot
interaction with elderly users in a
long-term care center.
We are grateful to the authors,
reviewers, and staff at IEEE Robotics
& Automation Magazine (RAM) for
their contributions to this special
issue. We especially thank Peter Corke

for supporting and encouraging our
work to bring this topic to RAM's
readers. We hope that this collection
of articles will capture readers' attention, encourage researchers to develop
new and promising initiatives and
overcome challenges in the area of
robotics and provide an impetus to
advance assistive robotics for the betterment of our society.
References
[1] S. W. Brose, D. J. Weber, B. A. Salatin, G. G.
Grindle, H. Wang, J. J. Vazquez, and R. A. Cooper,
"The role of assistive robotics in the lives of persons with disability," Amer. J. Phys. Med. Rehab.,
vol. 89, no. 6, pp. 509-521, 2010.
[2] A. Tapus, M. J. Matarić, and B. Scassellati,
"The grand challenges in socially assistive robotics," IEEE Robot. Automat. Mag., vol. 14, no. 1,
pp. 35-42, 2007.

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MARCH 2013

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IEEE ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION MAGAZINE

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19
http://www.ieee.org/learning
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine - March 2013
