Abstract

This thesis deals with the effectiveness of automatic page-turners as one form of assistive technology. It examines several of the existing commercially available products with a view to developing a universal system that would have the potential to satisfy both the special needs and musician sectors. It explores the current trends regarding the collection of statistical data on people with a physical disability, which is intended to identify the= present and future needs for such assistive technology devices. The project utilizes a usercentric approach to document the requirements of the end users of such a device, before conceptualising a model which would have the potential to satisfy the expanded target market. It explains in detail the development process of the working model, which employs two anthropomorphic finger-like mechanisms, both of which incorporate force feedback. These finger-mimetic components are used to separate and turn the pages of the reading material. A functional prototype was built and a report of the preliminary testing carried out, together with a fully documented illustration of the final working engineering model is included. The test results reveal that the system has shown great potential for the successful development of a more universal Automatic page turner that could satisfy both identified markets.