Digitization and robotics in the assistive technology industry

The topics of digitization and robotics are becoming increasingly tangible for us and, in many cases, they enrich our lives. They also offer a great support for people with disabilities. Speech computers can give people without the ability to speak a voice again, apps improve the effectiveness of hearing aids and care robots are already helping within retirement and nursing homes. So what is the state of digitalization and robotics, especially in the field of assistive technology, and what really appeals to people with disabilities?

The topic of digitization has been of interest to REHACARE.de for many years. REHACARE exhibitors present their innovations every year. Often, long-established devices get a revised, digital upgrade. This has been particularly evident in the field of physiotherapy at REHACARE in recent years. You can find a video about this here: Rehabilitation - Going mobile with virtual worlds and robotics. 

Significant progress can also be observed in the field of communication aids. While useful static aids such as letter and symbol boards continue to exist, many more apps and specialized software are emerging to help people with speech or communication impairments express themselves.

A very special device for blind people or those with severe visual impairments is the OrCam MyEye mobile reading device. It is attached to the temple of the eyeglasses and enables "reading" of signs, books, menus and other texts. Even banknotes and faces can be recognized. An independent everyday life becomes possible again.

In the video you can learn more.

Digital aids also offer new possibilities in the area of mobility: Intelligent wheelchairs and prostheses support users through the recording and processing data gathered by various sensor technology. In this way, the aids can provide greater individual support and often offer better control.

One company dedicated to improving the mobility of people with disabilities is Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA. Here, for example, senior product manager Dr. Arne Hothan is working on an intelligent wheelchair seat for children. The project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), started in 2021. According to Dr. Arne Hothan, "The project targets users with severe body deformities - for example, scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis, pelvic obliquity and rotation, which occur particularly in the indications cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Muscular Atrophy and Muscular Dystrophy. It has been possible to build up a functional pattern that allows the adaptation of the seat to a large part of the recipients of individual seat shells, which was ensured via the analysis of hundreds of fitting data."

Initial successes, such as the proof of a functional merit, have already been achieved. The next step is to implement the appropriate sensor technology and program a user interface. Hothan explains,"With the product developed in the project, it is possible to achieve optimal posture support, similar to that of an individual seat shell. In addition, the positioning can be varied during the course of the day. This should extend the duration of use throughout the day and thus improve social participation. At the same time, we hope to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers and improve seating comfort through sensor support. It's also possible to readjust the system as the condition changes and as it grows, improving care over time, as well."

The seat will be able to be mounted on suitable wheelchairs or rehab buggies. The target groupis children between the ages of 6 and 12.

Dr. Matthias Ponfick from the Rummelsberg Paraplegic Center (German: Querschnittzentrum Rummelsberg) is taking a different approach. He is working in a team with other researchers to make prostheses more intelligent or more lifelike. For example, robotics help prosthetic arms to grip - unfortunately still not a matter of course, as many prostheses are rigid.

Ponfick hopes that the new approach will significantly improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. "It is a completely new approach to try to use biorobotics to obtain controllable prostheses. This is revolutionary and does not yet exist. You need the basic sciences, electrical engineering and also AI programmers to do this," he states, and offers his own thoughts on disability in general:“I think a person with disabilities does not belong to the fringes of society, but belongs in the middle of society! It is our overall social mission to achieve this with all available means. And when people from different specialties come together to improve something for others who have experienced a stroke of fate, I think that's phenomenal."

Those who want to take a closer look at the scientific details of the project can do so on Messe Düsseldorf's portal for the MEDICA - medical technology trade fair. Click here for the video!

However, all technology is of no use if it ultimately does not reach the people who need help. In addition, some developments raise the question of whether the the assisting technologies  are really as good as they are advertised to be. For this reason, the ETH Zurich has created the CYBATHLON Challenges, a competition that aims to bring together researchers, developers and users right from the start. The next Challenge for this will take place again in 2024 in Zurich, but there will be a kick-off event at this year's REHACARE 2023. Information on this will follow on REHACARE.com. For those who already want to get an impression of how, for example, an arm prosthesis race works - here is the video about it.

If you are interested in these and other trends around digitalization and robotics, you should not miss REHACARE 2023. We will tell you even more in the article: "Digitalization and robotics: REHACARE has a finger on the pulse".