Demographics of rehabilitation robotics users

Assistive robotic technology can be used to augment manipulation tasks for individuals who have little to no use of upper extremities. By understanding user demographics and the market potential for such a device, an assistive robot can be designed and marketed to optimally meet the needs of the targeted audience. Consequently, the demographics and characteristics of a dozen disabling conditions often associated with minimal use of upper limbs are described. The conditions included are: cerebral palsy, arthrogryposis, spinal muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophies, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, poliomyelitis, spinal cord injury, head injury, and locked-in syndrome. An estimate of the number of people with these conditions who also have minimal use of upper limbs was calculated to be at least 150 000. The market potential is presumably lower than this number given the medical needs and financial constraints of these populations. While the market potential is small, the independence and quality of life made available by way of robotic technology is potentially enormous.