Herbelin B., Ciger J. and Brooks A.L. (2008). Customization of gaming technology and prototyping of rehabilitation applications. Proc. 7th International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality and Associated Technologies and Art Abilitation, Maia, PO, 8-11 Sept 2008, pp. 211-218. ISBN 07-049-15-00-6.

Abstract

The field of rehabilitation has recently seen various experimentations with games using interfaces that require physical activity. In order to establish the basis for developments and experimentations with those interactive systems, we propose a rapid prototyping approach using various commercial devices and open source software. To demonstrate this idea, we first show how a simple free game can be adapted to specific needs—for training or use by handicapped people— by using different sensors and control modes. Similarly, we show that an open on-line virtual worlds like Second Life, although not perfect, offers sufficient conditions for quickly building custom content and testing with usual interactive devices sold for handicapped. When presented to these prototyping possibilities, people from the target group (health care professionals, patients, handicapped, families) are able to relate to their needs and to elaborate on the use of such systems. In other words, the availability of a simple prototyping platform with free games and new interfaces already opens the discussion on the design of original rehabilitation applications.