NSF Org:	CNS Division Of Computer and Network Systems
Recipient:	UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Initial Amendment Date:	February 13, 2017
Latest Amendment Date:	February 11, 2019
Award Number:	1650545
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Behrooz Shirazi bshirazi@nsf.gov  (703)292-8343 CNS  Division Of Computer and Network Systems CSE  Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering
Start Date:	February 15, 2017
End Date:	December 31, 2019 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$15,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$15,000.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2017 = $15,000.00
History of Investigator:	Stephanie Carey (Principal Investigator) scarey3@usf.edu Rajiv Dubey (Co-Principal Investigator) Stephen Sundarrao (Co-Principal Investigator) Redwan Alqasemi (Co-Principal Investigator) Kyle Reed (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of South Florida 4202 E FOWLER AVE TAMPA FL  US  33620-5800 (813)974-2897
Sponsor Congressional District:	15
Primary Place of Performance:	University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. ENB118 Mech Tampa FL  US  33612-9446
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	15
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	NKAZLXLL7Z91
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	IUCRC-Indust-Univ Coop Res Ctr
Primary Program Source:	01001718DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):	5761
Program Element Code(s):	576100
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.070

ABSTRACT

The University of South Florida's, Center for Assistive, Rehabilitation & Robotics Technologies (CARRT) will increase the capacity of engineers, researchers and practitioners in the assistive technology and human performance field by becoming a Site in the existing NSF IUCRC iPERFORM Center for Assistive Technologies to Enhance Human Performance. The iPerform Center currently includes the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and at Dallas (UTD). CARRT combines research, education and service to improve human performance, including the capabilities of individuals with a disability or of advanced age. Innovations such as virtual reality for job training, intelligent wheelchairs and powered mobility devices, adaptive driving simulators, training systems for rehabilitation after a stroke, and a mobile app to help with decisions about a prosthesis will be explored with industrial partners. USF will also work with the Tampa VA, the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Museum of Science and Industry, Girls Scouts Minds for Design Camp and Florida-Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in order to promote science, engineering and entrepreneurship to a broad audience. Real world problems associated with assistive technologies and enhancing human performance will be integrated into courses such as Capstone Senior Design, Human Factors, Rehabilitation Engineering, Haptics and Bioastronautics motivating future scientists and engineers in the field. USF's student chapters such as the Biomedical Engineering Society will also help in the development and implementation of the research projects related to the goals of the iPERFORM Center.

The objective of this planning grant is to establish the University of South Florida (USF) as a Site addition to the existing iPERFORM Center. USF's CARRT has expertise in integrating research, education and service with a strong record of interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaborative research that has led to the development of novel assistive, rehabilitation, wearable and robotics technologies. USF's team has expertise in the human testing of assistive technologies that is necessary to improve designs and make them commercially viable. USF has several motion capture systems including two that are implemented into virtual reality systems that allow for testing in realistic environments safely while providing controlled and repeatable testing protocols. This allows for quantitative data that can improve assistive technologies and prepare them for market necessary to attract industry partners. USF's capabilities are synergistic to the focus and goals of the existing NSF IUCRC iPERFORM Center that include attracting support towards the commercialization of assistive technologies and promoting innovation in academia that is driven by customer and industrial needs. Through USF CARRT's integrated holistic model in which engineers and scientists work with clinicians, rehabilitation practitioners and artists, a unique structure for research and development will strengthen the iPERFORM Center.

PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT

Disclaimer

This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.

The objective of this planning grant was for the University of South Florida (USF) to become a site addition to the existing iPERFORM Center for Assistive Technologies to Enhance Human Performance currently organized by the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and at Dallas (UTD).  The mission of USF’s Center for Assistive, Rehabilitation and Robotics Technologies (CARRT) is to improve the quality of life and increase the independence and community reintegration of individuals with reduced functional capabilities due to aging, disability or traumatic injury through integrated research, education and service in assistive and rehabilitation, and robotics technologies in collaboration with consumers, clinicians, government and industry partners. CARRT’s mission is similar and synergistic to the goals of the iPERFORM Center making us an appropriate site addition. The aim of the I/UCRC meeting was to refine USF’s role as an additional site that will benefit the established goals of the iPERFORM Center. 

The planning grant workshop was successfully conducted.  There were over 25 attendees from the following potential partners: Titus Human Performance Solutions, USSCOM, Invacare, Whoop, Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Micromo, Neux Technologies, and James A. Haley VA Hospital. Welcome remarks were given by Dr. Rajiv Dubey, Chair of Mechanical Engineering and Dr. Robert Bishop, Dean of College of Engineering. The visions of the iPerform Center was presented and the USF Site capabilities were presented. Faculty and students from College of Engineering and School of Physical Therapy presented eight project proposal presentations as well as additional projects via posters. Lab tours, a dinner and networking opportunities were also included. Collaboration with UTA and USF on a full IUCRC proposal to add USF as a site to the iPerform Center is ongoing.

 

Last Modified: 01/07/2020
Modified by: Stephanie L Carey

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