Apr. 24 – Rehabilitation is now more similar to playing in a video game than ever before, thanks to the “wearable robotics” program led by Nicola Vitiello at the Institute of Biorobotics of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa. “ReTeLINK” is a project of “tele-operation” and “telepresence”, created by young researchers like Marco Cempini, Mario Cortese, and Matteo Moisè. The three recently premiered their concept in Germany, at the Hannover Messe, the largest industrial fair in the world, where they were invited and even rewarded by Kuka, European leader in the field of robotics. Kuka bestowed upon the Italian project the prestigious Innovation Award 2015, recognizing the impact of the proposed application, its prospects and possible industrial and economic potential. “For those who are unable to reach hospitals or treatment centers – explains Vitiello – tele rehabilitation with a robotic system such as that used in ‘ReTeLINK’ allows a recovery of residual motor skills, more effective involvement and greater interactivity of the patient during the exercise thanks to the interaction with a moving object.” The groupm chosen by Kuka and an international panel of academics and experts from the more than 20 submitted proposals, received a prize a check for €20.000. The group reached the final selection stage with two Swiss teams (Eth Zurich and EPFL Lausanne) and the Swedish University of Orebro, which integrated in its application a prototype designed in collaboration with the Piaggio Center of the University of Pisa. Kuka financed the trip and performance for the four finalists, choosing the Sant’Anna researchers for the award, hosted at the fair Hannover Messe, where the application of “ReTeLINK” was tested by dozens of visitors in complete safety and autonomy, sparking the audience’s general interest. (Red)
