Robotic Glove Helps Relearn Taking part in Piano After a Stroke

Researchers develop first-of-its-kind mushy robotic exoskeleton glove for re-learning enjoying piano after a stroke.

For individuals who have suffered neurotrauma equivalent to a stroke, on a regular basis duties may be extraordinarily difficult due to decreased coordination and energy.

These issues have spurred the event of robotic units to assist improve their talents. Nevertheless, the inflexible nature of those assistive units may be problematic, particularly for extra advanced duties equivalent to enjoying a musical instrument.

The mushy robotic glove developed by researchers in FAU’s School of Engineering and Laptop Science integrates 5 actuators right into a single wearable machine that conforms to the person’s hand. Picture credit score: Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic College

A primary-of-its-kind robotic glove is lending a “hand” and offering hope to piano gamers who’ve suffered a disabling stroke. Developed by researchers from Florida Atlantic University, the mushy robotic hand exoskeleton makes use of artificial intelligence to enhance hand dexterity.

This analysis was supported partially by two grants from the U.S. Nationwide Science Basis. Outcomes of the research are revealed in Frontiers in Robotics and AI. See a video of the robotic glove in motion.

Different mushy robotics have been used to play the piano, however the newly developed robotic glove is the primary to “really feel” the distinction between right and incorrect variations of the identical music and to mix these options right into a single hand exoskeleton.

“Taking part in the piano requires advanced and extremely expert actions, and relearning duties entails the restoration and retraining of particular actions or abilities,” mentioned FAU’s Erik Engeberg, senior writer of the paper.

“Our robotic glove consists of sentimental, versatile supplies and sensors that present light assist and help to people to relearn and regain their motor talents.” 

Researchers built-in particular sensor arrays into every fingertip of the robotic glove. In contrast to prior exoskeletons, this new know-how offers exact drive and steering in recovering the high quality finger actions required for piano enjoying.

By monitoring and responding to customers’ actions, the robotic glove presents real-time suggestions and changes, making it simpler to know the proper motion methods.

To display the robotic glove’s capabilities, researchers programmed it to really feel the distinction between right and incorrect variations of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” To introduce variations within the efficiency, they created a pool of the music performed with no errors and with several types of errors.

“Importantly, though this research’s software was for enjoying a music, the method could possibly be utilized to myriad duties of every day life, and the machine might facilitate intricate rehabilitation applications custom-made for every affected person,” mentioned Engeberg.

Supply: NSF

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