EMPWRD: Enhanced Modular Platform for People with Rigid Disabilities

Abstract

Neurological disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can lead to severe mobility limitations. ALS has even been described as “locked-in” syndrome, since the brain is functional, but the personality is locked in a body with almost no voluntary control. The objective is to design, implement, and test a sensor based platform called EMPWRD which empowers such users with the ability to speak and express themselves using state-of-the-art tools such as an input-adaptive grid scanner and a Natural Language Processing (NLP) powered cluster ambiguous keyboard; it also helps them control devices in their surroundings. The platform is modular and is compatible with any device that supports HTML and Javascript; thus, it can be easily customized. We present here the platform in addition to a Text-To-Speech (TTS) and a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) module that enable users to make live phone calls, along with some comparisons and experimental analysis.