The coming together of various disciplines like engineering, medicine, and computing may prove to be revolutionary in the rehabilitation of stroke patients and provide healthcare in a way never seen before.
An exciting new EU-funded research project working on the development of an upper-limb rehabilitation exoskeleton robot. This leverages many rapidly growing technologies including AI, robotics, and cloud computing. Whilst this all may sound farfetched and like something from a dystopian future, but this is a project where the research and following development may change the course of stroke treatment forever.
The project aims to make use of electromyographical data which is the analysis of how the muscles receive signals from the brain and combine this with virtual rehabilitation to develop a robotic upper limb. This is then able to use this data alongside its AI and machine learning capabilities to understand the patients' individual needs and movement patterns. The robotic limb is then able to assist a patient in performing day-to-day tasks over a number of repetitions within this virtual reality. This allows the patient's brain to then begin to form a stronger connection within the brain and begin their journey to recovery. Whilst every patient's road to recovery is different, the database built up in the software that manages the patients will store their data to help the patients always push towards the next stage of recovery.
The engaging mental aspect of the project alongside the dynamic nature of the robotic upper limb will be able to assist them in performing activities in a fashion tailored to their injuries all while in a safe manner to ensure no one is taken too far out of their comfort zone.
Whilst this project is still in the research stage it is clear that there is endless potential in this area and that these different disciplines, whilst worlds apart, can all come together to truly change the lives of so many people. This project epitomises the meaning of R&D and highlights the true power of innovation through collaboration.