the steria Fondation grant
2005 Project
 

The Manette project

With the support of the Steria Foundation, a team of 6 students from the ISEN IT and electronics school worked during the 2004-2005 school year to develop a pilot device to enable people with severe hand and limb disabilities to control domestic appliances using home automation, roaming IT and a joystick.

This project is designed to offer disabled people greater independence and make everyday tasks easier for them. The aim is to allow them to have greater control over domestic appliances using:

•  the joystick

•  a PDA

•  an interface with a PC to control a home automation device via a wireless connection

In 2006, the Steria Foundation has decided to finance the construction of five Manette devices as part of the pilot version. They are to be sent to various hospitals and rehabilitation centres.		  
 
 
 


Implementation of the project

The Manette project successfully completed the acceptance testing phase on 17 June 2005 . All of the functions listed at the beginning of the contract work perfectly and are suitable for use by disabled people.

The student technical team was divided into 3 groups (electronics, networks and communication and software integration) and assisted by a therapist for the ergonomic aspects.

The 3 modules that comprise the system were designed in strict compliance with quality directives in terms of developing and integrating the software and the electronic components.

The students demonstrated their prototype before the Trophée association for disabled persons and the ISEN board of trustees at a presentation attended by therapists, company directors and local politicians.

The demonstration proved the following:
- that the "Manette (joystick) - PDA - home automation device" combination is perfectly suited to disabled persons (it is wireless and with no network to install thanks to its use of wireless protocols);
- that the system is both reliable and flexible, thanks to its original technical design;
- that its ergonomic design is suited to persons with severe upper limb disabilities;
- that the solution is user-friendly;
- that it is affordable for private individuals due to its use of commercially-available components.


Synopsis of the project:
Dessin:
manette = joystick
Domotique = home automation