SCRIPT: designing and evaluating robotic prototypes

The SCRIPT project as an interdisciplinary Consortium of experts employs an exciting and innovative methodology to design, test and evaluate two robotic devices for home-based rehabilitation of hand and wrist at the chronic stage of stroke. We are applying a mixed of health services and user-centred design methods to engage potential users of the robotic technology during the process of design.

An example of the technology used

© Saebo

Initial engagement with the target users is needed to give researchers a deep understanding of people with stroke/carers and stroke professionals and the context in which they aim to use the devices. Methods that are used to provide data for the initial phase of user-engagement in design are design workshops or focus groups, one-to-one interviews and cultural probes. 

Furthermore, user requirements have been identified through scoping of knowledge and evidence, Use cases of the SCRIPT system have been created as the basic building blocks of a usable system and Wireframes or visual presentation of the SCRIPT User interface have been produced. The findings of all these research activities which reflect clinical aspect as well as usability engineering aspect of the project will be incorporated into the empirical findings of the first phase to create a framework for the SCRIPT system. 

The first SCRIPT prototype will be tested with users using a participatory evaluation method and by encouraging them to think aloud about usability problems. The outcome of the evaluation will be reported to developers, modification will be made to the design for the next iteration of the prototype.  

[written by Nasrin Nasr]