Research Projects
A lightweight approach to haptic-feedback for stroke rehabilitation
To date, robotic technology has been applied almost exclusively to devices that assist people with a disability to interact with the environment. Within the last few years, however, robots have been developed specifically for rehabilitation (e.g. the Motorika Reo). Such specialised robots are versatile, but very expensive (costing upwards of USD 60K). This research program will investigate a “lightweight” approach to using force-feedback to assist rehabilitation of the arm after stroke. The host laboratory has conducted preliminary development of targeted arm exercises with a device based on the commercially available Phantom haptic pen and the project will pursue these ideas further, in collaboration with Professor Mary Galea, a clinical physiotherapist and Director of the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre at the University.