Exploring the Potential of Generative AI in DIY Assistive Technology Design by Occupational Therapists

This paper examines the potential integration of generative AI into the assistive technology (AT) making and adaptation process, with Occupational Therapists (OTs) as the primary beneficiaries, as they are often involved in designing ‘do-it-yourself assistive technology’ (DIY AT) to support independent living for individuals with disabilities. We initiated the study by considering the traditional AT-making processes performed by OTs and prototyped a web interface that incorporates generative AI to support these processes. Through a series of user studies, we collected OTs' preliminary insights on how generative AI could bridge the gap between clinical reasoning and technical design, potentially streamlining the AT creation and adaptation process while maintaining the crucial element of personalized AT solutions. The study's findings highlight several key benefits of generative AI in OT practice: 1) customization of AT solutions tailored to individual client needs, 2) improved visualization capabilities for client communication, 3) inspiration for new AT design ideas, and 4) potential for rapid prototyping and practice. However, key drawbacks were noted, including limitations in inputting measurements, which can lead to inaccurate outputs and necessitate substantial modifications to the created AT, along with challenges associated with the current state of generative AI.