Transnational lifelong education course in robotic systems

Robotics constitutes a multidisciplinary area, congregating knowledge from different scientific domains. The learning of robotic systems requires the acquisition of multidisciplinary scientific bases, and high integration and synthesis abilities, which is not an easy task. This paper describes the implementation of a lifelong course that aims to provide a global insight on robotics field, introducing the concepts and technologies for different domain applications, namely industrial robotics, autonomous mobile robotics and robotics applied in medicine. This is accomplished in an international framework where individual knowledge and experiences will be confronted in a multidisciplinary level and intercultural environment.The work described in this paper was financially supported by the Lifelong Learning Programme Erasmus, under the projects n. 2012-1-PT1-ERA10-12529 and 2013-1-PT1- ERA10-16656.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Robhand, a exosqueleton for neuromotor rehabilitation of the hand, applying active and passive therapies

[Resumen] Presentamos el planteamiento y estado actual de ejecución de un proyecto que se está realizando mediante la colaboración de una empresa (CyL Imas D, Salamanca), dos centros asistenciales (Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid y Corporación de Rehabilitación Club de Leones Cruz del Sur, Chile) y un centro de investigación vinculado a una Universidad (Instituto Universitario ITAP, de la Universidad de Valladolid). El objetivo principal de este proyecto es la creación, desarrollo, implantación y pruebas clínicas de un nuevo prototipo de robot háptico activo para mantenimiento y rehabilitación neuromotora de la mano en pacientes con daño cerebral adquirido. Se describe el planteamiento del proyecto, se hace una descripción técnica de los principales componentes del sistema y se resume su estado de ejecución.[Abstract] We present the basics and current state of execution of a project that is being carried out through the collaboration of a company (CyL Imas D, Salamanca), two healthcare centers (Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid and Club de Rehabilitación Club de Leones Cruz del Sur, Chile) and a research center linked to a University (ITAP University Institute, University of Valladolid). The main objective of this project is the creation, development, implementation and clinical trials of a new prototype of active haptic robot for maintenance and neuromotor rehabilitation of the hand in patients with acquired brain damage. The project approach is described, a technical description of the main components of the system is made and its execution status is summarized.Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial; IDI 2017 026

A Versatile Embedded Platform for Implementation of Biocooperative Control in Upper-Limb Neuromotor Rehabilitation Scenarios

Biocooperative control uses both biomechanical and physiological information of the user to achieve a reliable human-robot interaction. In the context of neuromotor rehabilitation, such control can enhance rehabilitation experience and outcomes. However, the high cost and large volume of the commercial systems for physiological signal acquisition are major limitations for the development of such control. We present a highly versatile, low-cost and wearable embedded system that integrates the most commonly used sensors in this field: inertial measurement unit (IMU), electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG), galvanic skin response (GSR) and skin temperature (SKT) sensors. Additionally, the compact system combines wireless communication for data transmission and a high-efficiency microcontroller for real-time signal processing and control. We tested the system in two common neuromotor rehabilitation scenarios. The first is an upper-limb rehabilitation VR-based exergame, in which the patient must collect as many coins as possible. Movement recognition of the hand and arm is performed based on EMG and IMU information, respectively. The second is adaptive assistive control that adjusts the level of assistance of a wrist rehabilitation robot according to the physiological state and motor performance of the patient using GSR, ECG and SKT data. The quality of the recorded signals and the processing capacity of the system meet the needs of the two upper-limb rehabilitation applications. The wearable system is highly versatile, open, configurable and low cost, and it could promote the development of real-time biocooperative control for a wide range of neuromotor rehabilitation applications