Image-projecting desktop arm trainer for hand-eye coordination training

This paper presents a novel arm-training system, known as the image-projecting desktop arm trainer (IDAT), which is aimed at hand-eye coordination training. The projector displays an exercise image on a desktop in front of a seated patient, and the scanning range finder measures the behavior of the patient as he/she performs the exercise. IDAT is non-invasive and does not constrain the patient. Its efficiency is based on the voluntary movements of the patient, although it offers neither the physical assistance nor tactile feedback of some conventional systems. Three kinds of training content have been developed: “mole-hitting,” “balloon-bursting,” and “fish-catching.” These games were designed for training hand-eye coordination in different directions. A patient and/or medical professional can set a suitable training level, that is, the training time, speed of movement of the objects, and number of objects to appear at any one time, based on the patient’s condition and ability. A questionnaire survey was carried out to evaluate IDAT-3, and the results showed that it was highly acclaimed in terms of user-friendliness, fun, and usefulness.