Robotic suit helps people to walk again
University of Twente working on solution for patients with spinal cord injuries
21 January 2010
Together with TU Delft and various other institutions, the University of Twente’s MIRA research institute is to start work on the development of a new robotic suit. This suit is intended to help people with spinal injuries, for example, to walk again. The legs of the robotic suit receive signals from the patient’s brain, which are relayed by a specially developed helmet. A prototype suit should be ready in three years’ time.
Together with TU Delft and various other institutions, the
University of Twente is to develop a robotic suit. This will mean
that patients who are currently confined to a wheelchair as a
result of a spinal injury or cerebral haemorrhage will be able to
walk again. The suit will be controlled by signals from the brain.
To this end, patients will be given a stylish helmet capable of
detecting brain signals and using them to control the robotic legs.
All that the patients will have to do is to think about walking.
The helmet picks up brain signals and relays them to the robotic
legs, which then start to move. The system is known as
Mindwalker. According to Herman van der Kooij, a
researcher at the University of Twente's MIRA research institute,
thousands of people will stand to benefit once development work on
the system has been completed. Dr Van der Kooij states that "We aim
to have a prototype ready in three years' time".
Robotic suit
The Biomedical Engineering departments of the University
of Twente and TU Delft will join forces to develop the robotic
suit. Other groups will focus on developing a helmet capable of
relaying brain signals to the robotic suit.
The robotic suit itself, which is technically known as an
exoskeleton, will have to be as small and manageable as possible.
"If we are unable to make the suit small enough to hide under the
wearer's clothing, then we will concentrate on making it as stylish
and attractive as possible", comments Dr Van der Kooij. The large
size of existing exoskeletons, such as the
Lopes walking robot developed at the University of Twente,
makes them unsuitable for everyday use. The new robotic suit, which
will have to be easily manageable, is a first step towards the
development of robotic suits for everyday use.
Further details:
The Mindwalker project is supported by the EU's Seventh
Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development,
whose goals include accessible IT. The project is being coordinated
by Space Applications Services NV. Further details: Communications
Department, University of Twente, Rianne Wanders,
+31-(0)53-4892721.
