This article was discussed in our <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/deaf3bb7-ff61-48d1-ad11-30ae0112d53e?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-gtm-yt-inspected-23="true" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> The full article will continue below.<hr>“I'll have you eating out of the palm of my hand” is an unlikely utterance you'll hear from a robot. Why? Most of them don't have palms.If you have kept up with the protean field, gripping and grasping more like humans has been an ongoing Herculean effort. Now, a new robotic hand design developed in MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) has rethought the oft-overlooked palm. The new design uses advanced sensors for a highly sensitive touch, helping the “extremity” handle objects with more detailed and delicate precision.<a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.08227" target="_blank">GelPalm</a> has a gel-based, flexible sensor embedded in the palm, drawing inspiration from the soft, deformable nature of human hands. The sensor uses a special color illumination tech that uses red, green, and blue LEDs to light an object, and a camera to capture reflections. This mixture generates detailed 3D surface models for precise robotic interactions.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5S9dZQv5qAc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-23="true" id="894047451" title="Robotic palm mimics human touch">&nbsp;</iframe>GelPalm. Video: MIT CSAILAnd what would the palm be without its facilitative fingers? The team also developed some robotic phalanges, called ROMEO (“RObotic Modular Endoskeleton Optical”), with flexible materials and similar sensing technology as the palm. The fingers have something called “passive compliance,” which is when a robot can adjust to forces naturally, without needing motors or extra control. This in turn helps with the larger objective: increasing the surface area in contact with objects so they can be fully enveloped. Manufactured as single, monolithic structures via 3D printing, the finger designs are a cost-effective production.Beyond improved dexterity, GelPalm offers safer interaction with objects, something that’s especially handy for potential applications like human-robot collaboration, prosthetics, or robotic hands with human-like sensing for biomedical uses.Many previous robotic designs have typically focused on enhancing finger dexterity. Liu's approach shifts the focus to create a more human-like, versatile end effector that interacts more naturally with objects and performs a broader range of tasks.&nbsp;“We draw inspiration from human hands, which have rigid bones surrounded by soft, compliant tissue,” says recent MIT graduate Sandra Q. Liu SM ’20, PhD ’24, the lead designer of GelPalm, who developed the system as a CSAIL affiliate and PhD student in mechanical engineering. “By combining rigid structures with deformable, compliant materials, we can better achieve that same adaptive talent as our skillful hands. A major advantage is that we don't need extra motors or mechanisms to actuate the palm's deformation — the inherent compliance allows it to automatically conform around objects, just like our human palms do so dexterously.”The researchers put the palm design to the test. Liu compared the tactile sensing performance of two different illumination systems — blue LEDs versus white LEDs — integrated into the ROMEO fingers. “Both yielded similar high-quality 3D tactile reconstructions when pressing objects into the gel surfaces,” says Liu.But the critical experiment, she says, was to examine how well the different palm configurations could envelop and stably grasp objects. The team got hands-on, literally slathering plastic shapes in paint and pressing them against four palm types: rigid, structurally compliant, gel compliant, and their dual compliant design. “Visually, and by analyzing the painted surface area contacts, it was clear having both structural and material compliance in the palm provided significantly more grip than the others,” says Liu. “It's an elegant way to maximize the palm's role in achieving stable grasps.”One notable limitation is the challenge of integrating sufficient sensory technology within the palm without making it bulky or overly complex. The use of camera-based tactile sensors introduces issues with size and flexibility, the team says, as the current tech doesn't easily allow for extensive coverage without trade-offs in design and functionality. Addressing this could mean developing more flexible materials for mirrors, and enhancing sensor integration to maintain functionality, without compromising practical usability.“The palm is almost completely overlooked in the development of most robotic hands,” says Columbia University Associate Professor Matei Ciocarlie, who wasn’t involved in the paper. “This work is remarkable because it introduces a purposefully designed, useful palm that combines two key features, articulation and sensing, whereas most robot palms lack either. The human palm is both subtly articulated and highly sensitive, and this work is a relevant innovation in this direction.”“I hope we're moving toward more advanced robotic hands that blend soft and rigid elements with tactile sensitivity, ideally within the next five to 10 years. It's a complex field without a clear consensus on the best hand design, which makes this work especially thrilling,” says Liu. “In developing GelPalm and the ROMEO fingers, I focused on modularity and transferability to encourage a wide range of designs. Making this technology low-cost and easy to manufacture allows more people to innovate and explore. As just one lab and one person in this vast field, my dream is that sharing this knowledge could spark advancements and inspire others.”Ted Adelson, the John and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Vision Science in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences and CSAIL member, is the senior author on a <a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.08227" target="_blank">paper describing the work</a>. The research was supported, in part, by the Toyota Research Institute, Amazon Science Hub, and the SINTEF BIFROST project. Liu presented the research at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) earlier this month.

MIT CSAIL student Sandra Q. Liu displays her innovative GelPalm robotic design in her lab workspace. Photo: Michael Grimmett/MIT CSAIL

MIT CSAIL researchers enhance robotic precision with sophisticated tactile sensors in the palm and agile fingers, setting the stage for improvements in human-robot interaction and prosthetic technology.

Robotic palm mimics human touch

In this episode, we discuss a breakthrough from ETH Zurich to mimic natural foot signals to the brain using state of the art neuroprosthetics. 

Podcast: Neuroprosthetics: The Next Step Towards Limb Reconstruction

Robotic exoskeletons designed to help humans with walking or physically demanding work have been the stuff of sci-fi lore for decades. Remember <a href="https://youtu.be/jtVygtT8VIc" target="_blank">Ellen Ripley in that Power Loader in Alien</a>? Or the crazy mobile platform <a href="https://youtu.be/Z2OLmFw9wR8?si=hIsWKAiRYAWGWbpP&t=85" target="_blank">George McFly wore in 2015 in Back to the Future, Part II</a> because he threw his back out?Researchers are working on real-life robotic assistance that could protect workers from painful injuries and help stroke patients regain their mobility. So far, they have required extensive calibration and context-specific tuning, which keeps them largely limited to research labs.Mechanical engineers at Georgia Tech may be on the verge of changing that, allowing exoskeleton technology to be deployed in homes, workplaces, and more.A team of researchers in <a href="https://me.gatech.edu/faculty/young" target="_blank">Aaron Young’s</a> lab have developed a universal approach to controlling robotic exoskeletons that requires no training, no calibration, and no adjustments to complicated algorithms. Instead, users can don the “exo” and go.Their system uses a kind of artificial intelligence called deep learning to autonomously adjust how the exoskeleton provides assistance, and they’ve shown it works seamlessly to support walking, standing, and climbing stairs or ramps. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.adi8852" target="_blank">They described their “unified control framework” March 20 in Science Robotics.</a>“The goal was not just to provide control across different activities, but to create a single unified system. You don't have to press buttons to switch between modes or have some classifier algorithm that tries to predict that you're climbing stairs or walking,” said Young, associate professor in the <a href="https://me.gatech.edu/" target="_blank">George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering</a>.<h3>Machine Learning as Translator</h3><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1711697656575-_MG_8945.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">A closeup view of experimental exoskeleton used in experiments that resulted in a universal controller for robotic assistance devices.Most previous work in this area has focused on one activity at a time, like walking on level ground or up a set of stairs. The algorithms involved typically try to classify the environment to provide the right assistance to users.The Georgia Tech team threw that out the window. Instead of focusing on the environment, they focused on the human — what’s happening with muscles and joints — which meant the specific activity didn’t matter.“We stopped trying to bucket human movement into what we call discretized modes — like level ground walking or climbing stairs&nbsp;— because real movement is a lot messier,” said Dean Molinaro, lead author on the study and a recently graduated Ph.D. student in Young’s lab. “Instead, we based our controller on the user’s underlying physiology. What the body is doing at any point in time will tell us everything we need to know about the environment. Then we used machine learning essentially as the translator between what the sensors are measuring on the exoskeleton and what torques the muscles are generating.”With the controller delivering assistance through a hip exoskeleton developed by the team, they found they could reduce users’ metabolic and biomechanical effort: they expended less energy, and their joints didn’t have to work as hard compared to not wearing the device at all.In other words, wearing the exoskeleton was a benefit to users, even with the extra weight added by the device itself.<blockquote>What’s so cool about this [controller] is that it adjusts to each person’s internal dynamics without any tuning or heuristic adjustments, which is a huge difference from a lot of work in the field. There’s no subject-specific tuning or changing parameters to make it work.AARON YOUNG Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering</blockquote><a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.adi8852" target="_blank">The control system in this study</a> is designed for partial-assist devices. These exoskeletons support movement rather than completely replacing the effort.The team, which also included Molinaro and <a href="https://www.meche.engineering.cmu.edu/directory/bios/kang-inseung.html" target="_blank">Inseung Kang</a>, another former Ph.D. student now at Carnegie Mellon University, used an existing algorithm and trained it on mountains of force and motion-capture data they collected in Young’s lab. Subjects of different genders and body types wore the powered hip exoskeleton and walked at varying speeds on force plates, climbed height-adjustable stairs, walked up and down ramps, and transitioned between those movements.And like the motion-capture studios used to make movies, every movement was recorded and cataloged to understand what joints were doing for each activity.The <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.adi8852" target="_blank">Science Robotics study</a> is “application agnostic,” as Young put it. Yet their controller offers the first bridge to real-world viability for robotic exoskeleton devices.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1711697699313-_MG_8771.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Researchers Aaron Young, left, and Dean Molinaro.Imagine how robotic assistance could benefit soldiers, airline baggage handlers, or any workers doing physically demanding jobs where musculoskeletal injury risk is high.Assistive robotics also could help stroke patients regain mobility. Related experiments in Young’s lab are working to understand how their hip exoskeleton and unified controller could be extended to help people recovering from stroke navigate their communities.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VEvV1jnqacs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0&amp;enablejsapi=1&amp;origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe><h3 id="isPasted">Helping Amputees Do More</h3>Other projects in Young’s <a href="https://www.epic.gatech.edu/" target="_blank">Exoskeleton and Prosthetic Intelligent Controls (EPIC) Lab</a> are marrying the power of robotics and AI to help adults with above-the-knee amputations navigate more effectively and children recover from neurological injuries.For adults, the lab is imagining new powered prostheses to help them navigate the world. An active study is exploring how AI can learn a patient’s gait and adapt over time to improve walking.Stacey Rice has been working with the team for a year, testing iterations of a leg prosthesis and the accompanying AI controller. She lost her leg to bone cancer 44 years ago, so she’s already seen technology improve the devices available to amputees.&nbsp;The Atlanta native is a multisport athlete and 1988 volleyball Paralympian. She said she can feel a real difference in the amount of effort she expends using the robotic assistance. <blockquote>I realized while I was on the treadmill that I wasn’t using as much energy as if I was using my own prosthesis. For me to have that energy bank is huge. There’s so much energy the body uses when you’re an amputee and you’re walking. To reserve that energy for your day-to-day activities will allow amputees to be more active during the day and do more.STACEY RICE Amputee and Research Study Participant</blockquote><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1711697760246-_MG_8899.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Dean Molinaro walks up a height-adjustable ramp, left, and similarly adjustable stairs, right, while wearing an experimental exoskeleton. The team used these and other unique tools Young's lab, such as force plates and motion-capture cameras, to collect data in their effort to develop a unified control framework for robotic assistance devices.<h3 id="isPasted">Gamifying Pediatric Rehab<a title="Permalink to this item" href="https://coe.gatech.edu/news/2024/03/universal-controller-could-push-robotic-prostheses-exoskeletons-real-world-use#gamifying-pediatric-rehab" target="_blank"></a></h3>In other experiments, Young’s lab is working with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Shriners Hospital to incorporate robotics into a new approach to pediatric rehabilitation that helps patients improve their gait.&nbsp;Kids with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, and other conditions often undergo physical therapy to help correct walking abnormalities. Incorporating robotics into the process is an area Young is excited about because developing brains are especially good at relearning skills and can recover function over time.“The robotic therapy does what a physical therapist might do manually, but in an automated way. It encourages them to adopt better gait biomechanics,” Young said.In each appointment, the researchers combine a robotic exoskeleton with biofeedback systems through a game-like interface.“When the patients come in, it’s like a video game that they're playing, which both engages them and gives them feedback about their performance,” Young said. “We want them to internalize the learning. The exoskeleton will help them physically achieve their goals, but we need them to retain that and engage in the rehab process.”<h3>Regaining Balance<a title="Permalink to this item" href="https://coe.gatech.edu/news/2024/03/universal-controller-could-push-robotic-prostheses-exoskeletons-real-world-use#regaining-balance" target="_blank"></a></h3>Elsewhere in the lab, Young and his team use a unique virtual-reality treadmill system to study gait and balance, particularly for older adults or people with mobility issues from strokes or amputations.The team uses the platform to introduce significant disruptions while participants are walking, challenging them to keep or regain their balance. The resulting data —&nbsp;largely from young, athletic individuals —&nbsp;is inspiring how wearable robots should operate to help people with balance impairments stay upright.In other words, it’s a busy place. And all in service of making a future of wearable robotics a reality.“For a lot of us, mobility is something we’re able to take for granted. One of the hopes is that this work can translate to people with mobility impairments and improve their quality of life,” Molinaro said. “And also, there are times when mobility is a limitation. So we’re interested in how we push the edge of mobility, both in restoring it for those with impairments but also augmenting it for those of able body to make them even more capable.”

Researcher Aaron Young makes adjustments to an experimental exoskeleton worn by then-Ph.D. student Dean Molinaro. The team used the exoskeleton to develop a unified control framework for robotic assistance devices that would allow users to put on an "exo" and go — no extensive training, tuning, or calibration required. (Photo: Candler Hobbs)

Aaron Young’s team has developed a wear-and-go approach that requires no calibration or training.

Universal Controller Could Push Robotic Prostheses, Exoskeletons Into Real-World Use

This article was discussed in our <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/b5ad041a-a5dc-42cd-900b-390dca184186?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> The full article will continue below.<hr>A few years ago, a team of researchers working under Professor Stanisa Raspopovic at the ETH Zurich Neuroengineering Lab gained worldwide attention when they announced that their prosthetic legs had enabled amputees to feel sensations from this artificial body part for the first time. Unlike commercial leg prostheses, which simply provide amputees with stability and support, the ETH researchers’ prosthetic device was connected to the sciatic nerve in the test subjects’ thigh via implanted electrodes.This electrical connection enabled the neuroprosthesis to communicate with the patient’s brain, for example relaying information on the constant changes in pressure detected on the sole of the prosthetic foot when walking. This gave the test subjects greater confidence in their prosthesis – and it enabled them to walk considerably faster on challenging terrains. “Our experimental leg prosthesis succeeded in evoking natural sensations. That’s something current neuroprostheses are mainly unable to do; instead, they mostly evoke artificial, unpleasant sensations,” Raspopovic says.This is probably because today’s neuroprosthetics are using time-constant electrical pulses to stimulate the nervous system. “That’s not only unnatural, but also inefficient,” Raspopovic says. In a recently published paper, he and his team used the example of their leg prostheses to highlight the benefits of using naturally inspired, biomimetic stimulation to develop the next generation of neuroprosthetics.<h2>Model simulates activation of nerves in the sole</h2>To generate these biomimetic signals, Natalija Katic – a doctoral student in Raspopovic’s research group – developed a computer model called FootSim. It is based on data collected by collaborators in Canada, who recorded the activity of natural receptors, named mechanoreceptors, in the sole of the foot while touching different points on the feet of volunteers with a vibrating rod.The model simulates the dynamic behaviour of large numbers of mechanoreceptors in the sole of the foot and generates the neural signals that shoot up the nerves in the leg towards the brain – from the moment the heel strikes the ground and the weight of the body starts to shift forward to the outside of the foot until the toes push off the ground ready for the next step. “Thanks to this model, we can see how semsory receptors from the sole, and the connected nerves, behave during walking or running, which is experimentally impossible to measure” Katic says.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA5ODI0NDc4NjY1LWltYWdlLmltYWdlZm9ybWF0LjEyODYuNDg4NzEzNzM4LmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Restoring natural sensory feedback results in functional and cognitive benefits for leg prosthesis users. (Photograph: Pietro Comaschi)Restoring natural sensory feedback results in functional and cognitive benefits for leg prosthesis users.&nbsp;(Photograph: Pietro Comaschi)<h2 id="isPasted">Information overload in the spinal cord</h2>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;To assess how closely the biomimetic signals calculated by the model correspond to the signals emitted by real neurons, Giacomo Valle – a postdoc in Raspopovic’s research group – worked with colleagues in Germany, Serbia and Russia on experiments with cats, whose nervous system processes movement in a similar way to that of humans. The experiments took place in 2019 at the Pavlov Institute of Physiology in St. Petersburg and were carried out in accordance with the relevant European Union guidelines.The researchers implanted electrodes, connecting some to the nerve in the leg and some to the spinal cord to discover how the signals are transmitted through the nervous system. When the researchers applied pressure to the bottom of the cat’s paw, thereby evoking the natural neural response that occurs when a cat takes a step, the peculiar pattern of activity recorded in the spinal cord did indeed resemble the patterns that were elicited in the spinal cord when the researchers stimulated the leg nerve with biomimetic signals.By contrast, the conventional approach of time-constant stimulation of the sciatic nerve in the cat’s thigh elicited a markedly different pattern of activation in the spinal cord. “This clearly shows that the commonly used stimulation methods cause the neural networks in the spine to be flooded with information,” Valle says. “This information overload could be the reason for the unpleasant sensations or paraesthesia reported by some users of neuroprosthetics,” Raspopovic adds.<h2>Learning the language of the nervous system</h2>In their clinical trial with leg amputees, the researchers were able to show that biomimetic stimulation is superior to time-constant stimulation. Their work clearly demonstrated how the signals that mimicked nature produced better results: not only were the test subjects able to climb steps faster, they also made fewer mistakes in a task that required them to climb the same steps while spelling words backwards. “Biomimetic neurostimulation allows subjects to concentrate on other things while walking,” Raspopovic says, “so we concluded that this type of stimulation is more naturally processed and less taxing on the brain.”Raspopovic, whose lab forms part of the ETH Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, believes that these new findings are not only relevant to the limb prostheses he and his team have been working on for over half a decade. He argues that the need to move away from unnatural, time-constant stimulation towards biomimetic signals also applies to a whole series of other aids and devices, including spinal implants and electrodes for brain stimulation. “We need to learn the language of the nervous system,” Raspopovic says. “Then we’ll be able to communicate with the brain in ways it really understands.”<h2>Information overload in the spinal cord</h2>To assess how closely the biomimetic signals calculated by the model correspond to the signals emitted by real neurons, Giacomo Valle – a postdoc in Raspopovic’s research group – worked with colleagues in Germany, Serbia and Russia on experiments with cats, whose nervous system processes movement in a similar way to that of humans. The experiments took place in 2019 at the Pavlov Institute of Physiology in St. Petersburg and were carried out in accordance with the relevant European Union guidelines.The researchers implanted electrodes, connecting some to the nerve in the leg and some to the spinal cord to discover how the signals are transmitted through the nervous system. When the researchers applied pressure to the bottom of the cat’s paw, thereby evoking the natural neural response that occurs when a cat takes a step, the peculiar pattern of activity recorded in the spinal cord did indeed resemble the patterns that were elicited in the spinal cord when the researchers stimulated the leg nerve with biomimetic signals.By contrast, the conventional approach of time-constant stimulation of the sciatic nerve in the cat’s thigh elicited a markedly different pattern of activation in the spinal cord. “This clearly shows that the commonly used stimulation methods cause the neural networks in the spine to be flooded with information,” Valle says. “This information overload could be the reason for the unpleasant sensations or paraesthesia reported by some users of neuroprosthetics,” Raspopovic adds.<h2>Learning the language of the nervous system</h2>In their clinical trial with leg amputees, the researchers were able to show that biomimetic stimulation is superior to time-constant stimulation. Their work clearly demonstrated how the signals that mimicked nature produced better results: not only were the test subjects able to climb steps faster, they also made fewer mistakes in a task that required them to climb the same steps while spelling words backwards. “Biomimetic neurostimulation allows subjects to concentrate on other things while walking,” Raspopovic says, “so we concluded that this type of stimulation is more naturally processed and less taxing on the brain.”Raspopovic, whose lab forms part of the ETH Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, believes that these new findings are not only relevant to the limb prostheses he and his team have been working on for over half a decade. He argues that the need to move away from unnatural, time-constant stimulation towards biomimetic signals also applies to a whole series of other aids and devices, including spinal implants and electrodes for brain stimulation. “We need to learn the language of the nervous system,” Raspopovic says. “Then we’ll be able to communicate with the brain in ways it really understands.”<hr><h2 id="isPasted">Reference</h2>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Valle G, Katic Secerovic N, Eggemann D, Gorskii O, Pavlova N, Petrini FM, Cvancara P, Stieglitz T, Musienko P, Bumbasirevic M, Raspopovic S: Biomimetic computer-to-brain communication enhancing naturalistic touch sensations via peripheral nerve stimulation. Nature Communications, 20 February 2024, doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45190-6" target="_blank">external page10.1038/s41467-024-45190-6</a>

ETH researchers have developed a prosthetic leg that communicates with the brain via natural signals. (Photograph: Keystone)

Prostheses that connect to the nervous system have been available for several years. Now, researchers at ETH Zurich have found evidence that neuroprosthetics work better when they use signals that are inspired by nature.

Bio-inspired neuroprosthetics: sending signals the brain can understand

Somanity’s story began three years ago when three friends were having a drink. Since he’d been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Sébastien had been confined to a wheelchair. “The only way for me to walk again someday would be to have an exoskeleton,” he told his friend Mathieu Merian. The problem: Exoskeletons are expensive — very expensive. Having one would cost €150,000 to €250,000. Mathieu is 19 years old. He has just dropped his university electrical engineering track to join the Global BBA program at SKEMA Business School. Plus, he is head of My3D, a company specialized in 3D printing.&nbsp;He has that youthful insolence that has no fear of dizzying challenges, and the naivete to want to make the world a better place. Thus, he got a slightly crazy idea: create the first 3D-printed exoskeleton to allow anyone with a motor disability to once again walk, run, climb stairs and more. In brief, to live normally again and regain full bodily control, all for less than €10,000 out of pocket.The thought could have wafted away in the air, like most ideas launched under the influence, but it culminated in the creation of a new company: Somanity. Three years later, the startup has attracted investors, has its first functional prototype and plans to market its exoskeleton by the end of 2025. Make no mistake: Mathieu Merian has all the expertise and determination needed to turn his ideas into reality.<h2>The challenge: design an affordable, desirable exoskeleton.</h2>Somanity’s calling is simple. Launch a new exoskeleton prototype that allows anyone with a motor disability to walk again, for a price between €10,000 and €20,000.&nbsp;Driven by the desire to reduce all costs in the medical field, Somanity seeks to reduce the price of an exoskeleton to one-tenth by focusing on 3D printing. But its ambitions don’t stop there — the startup also wants to make its exoskeletons as appealing as the latest smartphone.“We’ve done workshops with APF France Handicap to find out what the people involved want from their exoskeleton. One man with a motor disability told us,&nbsp;‘I want an exoskeleton that makes people wish they were disabled.’&nbsp;That’s what we’re attempting to do with a medical device that doesn’t look like one,”, says Mathieu Merian, founder and CEO of Somanity. Specifically, this translates into an ergonomic, modern design for an exoskeleton available in several colors, with a futuristic, decidedly technological look. “3D printing allows us to do things that you can’t normally do at the design level, or at least to act quickly in the design process,” Merian says.<h2>Exoskeleton motorization delivered in record time</h2>The first prototypes rolled out in June 2023. Somanity then began looking for a motorization partner. “I benchmarked the various motors available, and I ran across a document from maxon devoted to motors for exoskeletons. So I contacted the company,” Merian recalls. If maxon didn’t have a standard product to offer within 48 hours, it was still good timing for Somanity, because maxon Switzerland’s medical business unit had just created a concept for an exoskeleton: an assembly called “Exoskeleton Drive” made up of an EC90 Flat motor, a reducer, an encoder and an electronic card, all integrated.“In less than 15 days, we were able to deliver this all-in-one device dedicated to exoskeletons right to Somanity. This concept device integrates enough performances to allow the structures at the start of the project to characterize their needs more precisely,” explains Virginie Mialane-Lacroix, medical market manager maxon France. The startup could then count on maxon technical support to best integrate this product.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA5Nzk3MzA5NzA1LVNLRU1BLU1haGlldS1NZXJpYW4tTG9yYS1CYXJyYS1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS00Ny5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The Exoskeleton prototype. © Lora Barra – SKEMA Business School for Somanity<h3>Tight time to market and clarity about the market</h3>“maxon products are very well documented, and we’ve benefited from excellent technical support — so good that in less than a month the first motor was implemented. Before the end of August we ordered the remaining motors to implement all the legs and at the beginning of January we integrated the motor to make the last degree of hip opening,” says the Somanity CEO.“The first six months of this collaboration were ultra high-performance. We are used to working with other startups, but it’s rare for one to have that level of maturity at this stage of the project. Somanity is characterized by its determination and very clear identification of the need, and the means to go along with that need,” Virginie Mialane willingly confides. The startup is, in fact, aware that the product currently offered by maxon isn’t optimal yet, but they know that improvements can be made later. And Virginie Mialane-Lacroix continues: “It sets them apart that they accept the current limits while still focusing on what is essential. That means coming up with a working demo within the time and budget allotted.”&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwMTU2NTk1NjE2LVByb2pla3QtNTMyMC0xLjM4LmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 769px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The maxon Exoskeleton Drive. Image credit: maxonFor its part, Somanity is delighted to have a partner that understands the responsiveness challenges of a startup. “Being able to make a phone call, transfer some money and have the motor a week later is priceless. Having engineers who listen, who answer our questions and guide our technical choices, is too,” Merian confirms.Once the mechanical part was validated, Somanity could finalize their design. As of now — February 2024 — Somanity has a final prototype. Sébastien, Mathieu’s friend who has a motor disability, will be able to start the first tests in March.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA5Nzk3Mzk2OTMyLVNLRU1BLU1haGlldS1NZXJpYW4tTG9yYS1CYXJyYS1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS0xMC5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The exoskeleton combines various materials and technologies to achieve its goal of comfort and useability. © Lora Barra – SKEMA Business School for Somanity&nbsp;<h2>From medical to space: Somanity exoskeletons are looking far ahead</h2>To respond to their time-to-market challenges, Somanity has chosen to bring out the first version of their exoskeleton as a Class 1 medical device. A second, more powerful version, with enriched functionalities and onboard technologies, can then come out later as a Class IIA medical device.&nbsp;But Somanity exoskeletons aren’t limited to the medical field! “We have a partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) to make exoskeletons for generating gravity. The objective is to make the body think it is in Earth’s gravity while maintaining the freedom of zero gravity in an international space station,” Somanity’s CEO explains. The purpose? To limit the loss of muscle mass and bone density while saving astronauts long hours spent exercising.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwMTU2NTAyODM1LTA2LTEyLTIwMTggMTMtMTctNDkuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 769px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The maxon Exoskeleton Drive Image credit: maxon<h3>HMI and IA: exciting future developments</h3>Currently, an exoskeleton’s human-machine interface (HMI) is reduced to a screen and a joystick. Ultimately, Somanity intends to offer an HMI similar to that of screens in cars, with a display of the environment, the possibility of updating its exoskeleton, access to real-time data, and more. “The final goal is always the user’s comfort. Ultimately, when the technology is operational, we’ll also have cerebral control,” the CEO says. By 2028, Somanity also intends to integrate an empathetic assistant into its exoskeleton, to prevent users from suffering mentally and to compensate for the shortage of health professionals. “With these AI-based technologies, it is becoming possible to ease the work of caregivers while improving patients’ lives,” says Merian.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzA5Nzk3NTIyMjcxLVNLRU1BLU1haGlldS1NZXJpYW4tTG9yYS1CYXJyYS1QaG90b2dyYXBoeS0zNS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The HMI of the exoskeleton will continue to be refined. © Lora Barra – SKEMA Business School for SomanityIn addition to freedom of movement, the exoskeleton has the advantage of allowing a person previously seated in a wheelchair to assume an upright position, at the height of people they’re speaking to, looking directly into their eyes and no longer at the height of a child. “Sometimes people speak to my friend as if he’s mentally disabled because he is in a chair. Being in an upright position allows people to overcome a psychological barrier!,” the Somanity CEO assures. “In addition to the psychological impact, there is a physical and psychomotor effect: use of exoskeletons combats the secondary effects of the seated position,” adds Virginie Mialane-Lacroix, medical market manager maxon France.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzEwMTU2NTQ0NzQ0LTA2LTEyLTIwMTggMTMtMjEtMjUuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 769px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The maxon Exoskeleton Drive Image credit: maxon<h2>Fundraising in progress</h2>Innovations by people for people — these words sum up Somanity’s whole philosophy. To achieve its goals, the startup seeks to raise €2 million to €4 million in 2024. These funds would especially allow them to position themselves on the American market. “We’re looking for investors ready to assist us, because we’re aware that fundraising will come with its share of changes at the team level,” the CEO says. The startup therefore hopes to find investors aligned with the human dimension of its project, especially able to help it with medical validations and with drafting SMQs.Are we heading toward an ultramodern future where disabled people will be envied for their high-tech exoskeletons? “A lot of people think it's great that we’re developing exoskeletons. But it’s also really sad, because the reason we have to do it is that our living spaces are not adapted to people in wheelchairs. To be honest, I look forward to a day when I’ll stop selling exoskeletons because an operation will put people on their feet again. When that day comes, I won’t be the least bit sad to be made obsolete,” explains Mathieu Merian, CEO of Somanity.Find out more: <a href="http://www.somanity.com" target="_blank">www.somanity.com</a>&nbsp;

Somanity aims to revolutionize mobility for individuals with motor disabilities by developing an affordable 3D-printed exoskeleton.

Somanity: Exoskeletons by people for people

In this episode, we dive into our favorite episodes from the last year and present the first annual saucy awards!

Podcast: 2023 Recap & First Annual Saucies!

In a world often defined by disparities in healthcare access, Victoria Hand Project, a Canadian charity, is a beacon of hope. Founded in 2015 with the mission to provide accessible 3D-printed prosthetic care to under-resourced communities around the world, Victoria Hand Project has transformed lives by combining cutting-edge technology with compassionate outreach.

Hands for Ukraine: The Victoria Hand Project's 3D Printing Initiative to Democratize Access to Prosthetic Care in Ukraine

Authors: Steliyan Vasilev1, Melanie Hoerr1, Michaela Kasdorf1, Sven Boehmer213E Smart Solutions, Krefeld, Germany2ZSK Stickmaschinen GmbH, Krefeld, GermanyThis article originally appeared <a href="https://www.techblick.com/post/optimizing-embroidered-conductive-traces-for-e-textiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here.</a><h3>1. Introduction</h3>Embroidery was historically a means of adorning fabrics with intricate patterns, a testament to human skill. However, in the modern era, this ancient art form has significantly evolved. In recent years, embroidery has undergone a profound transformation, emerging as a pioneering technology at the intersection of artistry and functionality. This article delves into the possibilities which embroidery offers for the production of Smart and E-Textiles, exploring technical intricacies, advantages, and challenges related to embroidered conductive traces.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0ODQ4Mjk4MjI0LVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNiAwNzU1MjIucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 649px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Join us at TechBlick&#39;s Future of Electronics RESHAPED conference &amp; tradeshow in Berlin on 17-18 OCT 2023 - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-fr-linked="true" href="//www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped" id="isPasted">www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped</a><h3>2. Solutions for the E-Textiles Production Made Possible by Embroidery</h3>E-Textiles represent a fascinating synergy between traditional textiles and modern technology, serving diverse sectors like automotive, aerospace, sports and fitness, medical, home textiles, and wearable technology. Thanks to the exceptional precision and high degree of automation of embroidery technology, it is ideal for integrating functional elements into textiles, such as sensors, actuators, antennas, or electrodes.&nbsp;By use of conductive threads and specialized attachments for automated integration of electronic components, embroidery techniques, originally developed for aesthetic purposes, now enable reliable and scalable E-Textiles production. Embroidery makes possible the following innovative solutions, among all:<ul><li>Integrating and Interfacing Electrical Components and PCBs</li></ul><h4>Semi-Automated Integration</h4>In decorative embroidery, the Appliqu&eacute; technique is utilized to attach pre-made textile patches to the carrier fabric. This same method can be used for semi-automatic placement of printed circuit boards (PCBs). After the manual placement and adjustment of the PCB, the embroidery machine takes over, automatically fixing it to the fabric and establishing the electrical connections at the interface pads.&nbsp;<h4>Automated Integration</h4>Embroidery machines equipped with automated Sequin Placement Devices can be configured to incorporate functional sequins into textiles (Fig. 1a). Functional sequins can be equipped with SMD soldered components, such as LEDs or RFID chips. For larger circuit boards, whether rigid or flexible, embroidery machines fitted with automated PCB Placement Devices can precisely position and secure the PCBs to the textile (Fig. 1b), followed by embroidery of the electrical connections. Automated integration is especially valuable for achieving reliability and reproducibility in the production of E-Textiles on a large scale.<ul><li>&nbsp;Embroidery of Complete Electrical Circuits</li></ul>By embroidering conductive traces onto fabric, placed PCBs and peripheral components can be electrically connected to each other, as well as to power sources or external circuitry. This approach allows for the automated integration of complete electrical circuits into textiles during a single production step.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0ODQ4MzM4OTEwLVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNiAwNzA4NDAucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 689px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Figure&nbsp;1&nbsp;Automated integration of functional LED sequins (a) and PCBs (b) by using automated Sequin Placement Device and PCB Placement Device from ZSK Stickmaschinen GmbH<ul id="isPasted"><li>&nbsp;Integration of Conductive Fibers and Wires</li></ul>Tailored Wire Placement (TWP) and Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) techniques allow precise conductor placement for applications such as illumination, textile-based heating, RFID antennas, and more.<ul><li>&nbsp;Embroidery of Conductive Areas</li></ul>With conductive threads, conductive areas in various shapes and sizes can be embroidered. These areas can serve a multitude of functions, including wide conductive traces, sensors, electrodes, and antennas, expanding applications from automotive control elements to advanced medical devices.<h3>3. Advantages of Embroidered Conductive Traces</h3>Embroidery of conductive traces has opened up new horizons for Smart and E-Textiles, driven by several distinct advantages:<ul><li>&nbsp;Versatility in Design and High Precision</li></ul>Embroidery offers unparalleled versatility in design. Complex patterns and intricate geometries become feasible, catering to diverse application needs. The precision achieved in embroidery ensures that these designs are replicated accurately and consistently.<ul><li>&nbsp; Flexibility and Breathability</li></ul>One of the standout features of embroidered conductive traces is their inherent flexibility. They easily integrate with the carrier fabric, preserving its natural drape. Unlike printed circuits, embroidered traces allow textiles to breathe, enhancing wearability in clothing and comfort in various applications.<ul><li>&nbsp;Durability and Washability</li></ul>Embroidered conductive traces exhibit impressive durability. They withstand the rigors of daily use and multiple washing cycles, remaining fully functional over extended periods. This longevity contributes to the reliability and sustainability of embroidered E-Textiles products.<ul><li>&nbsp;Enabling Direct Connection to Electrical Components and PCBs</li></ul>Embroidery facilitates the direct integration of conductive traces with electrical components and printed circuit boards (PCBs). This approach eliminates the need for additional connectors or complex wiring, enhancing the product&rsquo;s reliability and comfort and reducing production costs.<h3>4. Challenges and State-of-the-Art Solutions for Embroidered Conductive Traces</h3>While there are clear advantages to using embroidered conductive traces, there are also associated challenges. In the following sections, we will outline the primary challenges and present state-of-the-art solutions to address them.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; a) &nbsp; Compensation for High Yarn ResistivityOne of the main challenges in utilizing conductive embroidery threads is their intrinsic high resistivity of up to a few hundred Ohms per meter. To address this challenge, several state-of-the-art solutions have emerged:<ul><li>&nbsp;Multiple Passes and Use of Conductive Bobbin Thread&nbsp;</li></ul>A method to compensate for the high resistivity of the conductive thread is to embroider multiple passes using the so-called running stitch. Each pass adds to the overall conductivity, effectively acting like parallel resistors (Fig. 2a). Additionally, incorporating a conductive bobbin thread enhances conductivity by further reinforcing the electrical path (Fig. 2b). As an additional benefit, multiple embroidered passes compensate for the inhomogeneity in resistance throughout yarn length due to local damages in a single yarn pass during use, increasing the reliability of the E-Textiles product.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0ODQ4NDA1MDAxLVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNiAwNzEwMTYucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 723px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Figure 2&nbsp;Equivalent circuit of embroidered conductive trace with one, two, and three passes (a), and conductive embroidery (yellow) and bobbin (green) thread (b)<ul id="isPasted"><li>&nbsp;Conductive Traces Embroidered as Filled Areas</li></ul>An alternative approach for reducing resistivity is to embroider conductive traces as filled areas, using the fill stitch rather than the running stitch. The high density of stitches in the filled areas enhances the overall trace conductivity. To ensure sufficient electrical contact between the stitches along the stitch direction, an underlayer must be added beneath the fill stitch, angled to the primary stitch direction (Fig. 3) [1].<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0ODQ4NDU1NTMxLVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNiAwNzEwNTIucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 732px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Figure 3&nbsp;Embroidered area with fill stitch without (a) and with a grid underlayer (b)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;b) Avoiding Conductive Thread Damage during EmbroideryDuring embroidery, stitching directly into the conductive yarn can damage it, compromising electrical properties. Therefore, special attention must be given to the digitizing of the embroidery design to avoid placing stitches over previously embroidered threads as well as repetitive stitching in the same spot.To mitigate this while embroidering multiple running stitch passes, a swing factor can be introduced in the digitizing program, altering the stitching path slightly with each pass. This minimizes localized stress on the yarn, preserving its integrity and conductivity. Fig. 4 illustrates a conductive trace with four passes and an added swing factor, shown as a visualization in the embroidery machine&rsquo;s programming software (a) along with a photograph of the embroidered trace (b).<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0ODQ4NDk4MjQ1LVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNiAwNzExMjAucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 731px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Figure 4&nbsp;Conductive trace with four passes for increased conductivity and added swing factor, shown in the digitizing software (a) and after embroidery (b).When adding a swing factor, corners pose a specific challenge, leading to repeated puncturing at the same location (Fig. 5a). Rounding corners in the embroidery design is essential, as it significantly reduces the risk of stitching into the yarn, maintaining its electrical properties (Fig. 5b) [1].<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0ODQ4NjIyNTQ5LVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNiAwNzEyMTQucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 704px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Figure 5&nbsp;Running stitch with three passes and an added swing factor, with multiple punctures in sharp edges (a) and without multiple punctures in rounded corners (b)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; c) Enabling Crossing and Insulation of Conductive TracesComplex E-Textiles designs often require multiple closely adjacent or intersecting conductive traces. Without proper insulation, unwanted electrical connections can occur&nbsp;when these traces come into contact. Adding non-conductive bridges between traces prevents unintended short circuits and maintains the desired electrical paths. Insulating bridges can be created by embroidering multiple layers of satin stitch with non-conductive thread, as depicted in Fig. 6a. It is crucial to ensure that the stitch directions of the bridge layers are angled in relation to the intersecting conductive traces.Covering conductive traces with non-conductive thread can also be used for insulation towards the surrounding environment. Fig. 6b illustrates an example of covered conductive traces connected to moss-embroidered electrodes for body signal acquisition. The covering prevents direct contact with the skin outside the electrode areas. For applications requiring waterproofing of the conductive traces, seam sealer in the form of tape or liquid, or dispensed polymer coatings can be utilized.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0ODQ4NjcxMzQwLVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNiAwNzEyNDAucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 702px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Figure 6&nbsp;Covering conductive traces with non-conductive thread to create insulating bridges between intersecting traces (a) and as a method of insulation towards the surrounding environment (b).<h3>&nbsp;5. Conclusion</h3>The integration of conductive traces into textiles through embroidery offers a promising avenue for the development of Smart and E-Textiles. While the advantages of embroidered conductive traces make them a compelling choice for a wide range of applications, there are technical hurdles. Fortunately, various state-of-the-art solutions have been developed to address these challenges, ensuring that embroidered conductive traces can meet the demands of diverse applications.&nbsp;As technology advances and the demand for Smart Textiles grows, continued research and innovation in the field of technical embroidery will be essential. With ongoing efforts to refine techniques and materials, we can expect to see even more sophisticated and reliable embroidered E-Textiles, opening up new possibilities in wearable technology, healthcare, fashion, and beyond.&nbsp;References[1] McCann, J., &amp; Bryson, D. (2023). Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology, Second Edition. Elsevier. <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0ODQ4NzExOTEwLVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wOS0xNiAwNzU0NDgucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 671px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Join us at TechBlick&#39;s Future of Electronics RESHAPED conference &amp; tradeshow in Berlin on 17-18 OCT 2023 - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-fr-linked="true" href="//www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped" id="isPasted">www.techblick.com/electronicsreshaped</a>

Embroidery was historically a means of adorning fabrics with intricate patterns,a testament to human skill.In the modern era, this ancient art form has significantly evolved, becoming a pioneering tech at the intersection of artistry & functionality. Learn here about Embroidered Electronics Textiles

Optimizing Embroidered Conductive Traces for E-Textiles

<h2 id="isPasted">Edge for City and Building Maintenance</h2>In the early days of cloud computing, many experts predicted a massive transfer of industrial data and operations to the cloud. This mindset has gradually changed as organizations and cloud service providers realized that it is better to use the cloud only when its scalability, capacity and quality of services are needed, while using services close to the field in other cases such as when real-time data processing is required. &nbsp; Recent studies anticipate that most industrial data will be stored, collected and managed closer to the field data sources rather than within centralized cloud infrastructures.&nbsp;Therefore, edge computing is gaining significant traction when it comes to developing, deploying and operating applications in industrial environments, including applications for modern cities that are developed for smart buildings and other types of public infrastructure. Edge computing takes a decentralized approach to collecting, managing and analyzing data, which moves computing resources closer to the edge of the networking infrastructure and to the sources of data.&nbsp;This distributed computing model can allow for faster data processing, reduced latency, and improved reliability, while at the same time delivering security and data protection benefits. By bringing computing power closer to the data source and reducing latency, edge computing enables real-time monitoring and analysis of critical data, which is already revolutionizing various applications, including smart cities and buildings maintenance applications. Moreover, edge computing is increasingly combined with embedded machine learning paradigms, which enable the execution of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications at a city’s or a building’s network edge. <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/2023-edge-ai-technology-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more about the current status of Edge AI in our comprehensive report.</a><iframe width="540" height="600" src="https://c8056756.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAMyA6BGksOUPEokHuBnEmZRHhYgJ4RXb4BV0gvzN98ymNIvQdTcBFQnRVfviT6yZSFW_R2g1hENBu7p7Afnyv9Kt0unAAbfFU5mMQhBwI-8hQnKf2r1mmRKhUgDLmtk8bpVSZ7kZGpleCPqtYRv8_kkvODL7F4neGLNGgdpFDm9pPzoYpwbQkc0BU5GVOFoq8CSmD0DDvDjG" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" allowfullscreen="" style="display: block;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;max-width: 100%;" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> <h2>Introducing Asset Maintenance in Smart Cities and Smart Buildings&nbsp;</h2>Modern smart cities deploy, operate, and manage a considerable number of physical assets, which enable the operation of their critical infrastructures such as energy management and water management infrastructures. This is also the case for modern buildings and real-estate facilities, which comprise and manage many different assets such as building automation systems, HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) units, smart meters, sensors and various other IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Therefore, both cities and facilities managers are putting an emphasis on the development and deployment of effective asset maintenance applications. The latter are important to ensuring the proper functioning and the longevity of critical infrastructure assets, while at the same time impacting the cost-effectiveness of critical operations.&nbsp;State-of-the-art asset maintenance applications optimize the performance and reliability of physical assets by leveraging sensors, IoT and data analytics technologies. As a prominent example, sensors enable the collection of data about the actual condition of the assets towards implementing condition-based monitoring and condition-based maintenance (CBM) approaches that optimize the Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE). Rather than implementing preventive maintenance approaches that replace or service assets at fixed timeslots in advance of their nominal End of Life (EoL), CBM moves service and replace times much closer to the assets’ actual EoL.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjkxNjYwNzc5MDQwLXNodXR0ZXJzdG9ja18xOTQ5NDE0MzcxLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Effective asset maintenance applications can be used to predict and anticipate asset failures towards developing optimal maintenance schedules. The latter help cities and facility managers to avoid costly emergency repairs and equipment failures. More generally, predictive maintenance approaches for physical assets can increase the overall reliability of the critical infrastructure, while optimizing the cost-effectiveness of the maintenance processes. Furthermore, optimal maintenance schedules are also used to improve the allocation of resources (e.g., maintenance engineers, field workers, maintenance tools) to various asset management processes.Most importantly, maintaining assets in a good working condition is essential for the safety and satisfaction of residents and visitors in smart cities and smart buildings. Specifically, asset maintenance applications can help the cities to promptly identify and address potential safety hazards. This can greatly reduce the risk of accidents and improve the overall quality of life for city dwellers. Likewise, citizens value urban environments where buildings and critical infrastructures are properly maintained.&nbsp;<h2>Edge Benefits for City and Buildings’ Maintenance Applications&nbsp;</h2>Nowadays, many asset maintenance applications are cloud-based. These cloud applications collect, process and analyze large volumes of data about the physical assets in support of CBM and predictive maintenance applications. Nevertheless, this cloud-based approach to asset maintenance is gradually changing as edge analytics and edge ML enable value-added functionalities that are not possible without edge computing. In particular, edge analytics and edge ML offer the following benefits:&nbsp;<ul><li>Real-Time Analytics: Edge analytics functionalities enable the detection of asset malfunctions and other maintenance issues in real time. This is because data is analyzed very close to the asset, without the network latency needed for transferring data to the cloud. Real-time analytics enable cities and facilities managers to take immediate actions towards alleviating the consequences of an asset’s malfunction.&nbsp;</li><li>Data, Network, and Energy Efficiency: Asset maintenance applications at the edge are more efficient in terms of the amount of data that they must process and manage. By processing data close to the data sources, they significantly reduce the volumes of data that are transferred to the cloud. In this way, they save on bandwidth. At the same time, they are more power efficient, due to the reduced amount of data transfers and I/O operations required.</li><li>&nbsp;Increased Security and Data Protection: Edge analytics and edge machine learning applications are more secure than their cloud counterparts. They have a reduced attack surface given that data are mostly kept close to the field (i.e., locally), which minimizes the opportunities for data breaches and other types of adversarial attacks. Likewise, edge analytics applications increase data protections for use cases that produce and handle potentially sensitive data (e.g., assets’ operations data and occupancy data in smart buildings).</li></ul>Overall, edge computing makes it possible to analyze complex datasets locally, which obviates the need for constant data transfer to a central cloud. This enables fast and efficient analysis, which allows for the detection of patterns, anomalies, and trends in real-time. Hence, the application of advanced analytics and Machine Learning (ML) models at the edge facilitates the real-time prediction of failures and maintenance needs, while at the same time boosting the production of optimized maintenance schedules.<h3>Smart Cities Asset Maintenance at the Edge &nbsp;</h3>Edge machine learning provides limitless opportunities for innovative asset maintenance applications in smart cities. These opportunities span different areas of the smart city’s infrastructures, including lighting, energy, transport, and water management infrastructures. &nbsp;Some of the most characteristic applications include:<ul><li>Lighting Systems Maintenance: In the case of lighting systems, edge analytics and edge machine learning can be used to support real-time performance monitoring and fault detection. Thus, maintenance can be done in a timely fashion towards ensuring optimal visibility and safety in the city.</li><li>Real-Time Detection of Water Leaks and Intelligent Management of Water Infrastructures: Edge analytics facilitate the detection of water leaks in near real-time, which can greatly boost the effectiveness of water management applications. For instance, upon the detection of a water leak, cities can automatically turn off water pumps to prevent any more flooding. Likewise, in a water distribution system, edge analytics can be used to analyze pressure data, flow rates, and historical usage patterns to predict potential leaks or pipe failures. The proactive identification of such risks can help maintenance teams to prioritize repairs, optimize the allocation of resources, and reduce the risk of major disruptions of the water management infrastructure.</li><li>Energy Optimization and Sustainability: Edge ML functionalities are becoming instrumental in optimizing energy usage and promoting sustainability in smart cities. This is based on intelligent maintenance applications that analyze data from smart grids, energy consumption meters, and renewable energy sources towards spotting energy inefficiencies and implementing targeted energy-saving measures. For instance, ML algorithms can be deployed within edge devices to analyze real-time energy data in order to detect anomalies, optimize energy distribution, and provide recommendations for energy conservation. This helps cities to reduce their CO2 emissions, lower their energy costs, and overall to create a more sustainable urban environment.</li><li>Intelligent Maintenance of Transportation Infrastructure: Edge computing and edge analytics can give a great boost to the intelligence and the cost-efficiency of transportation infrastructure maintenance applications. As a prominent example, in road maintenance edge AI algorithms can analyze data from sensors embedded in the pavement to detect cracks, potholes, or signs of wear. This enables cities to identify these issues early on and to take prompt action to address them in order to prevent accidents or further damage to the infrastructure. Through edge analytics, It is also possible to improve the intelligence of transportation infrastructure maintenance applications. For instance, intelligent maintenance applications can analyze data from traffic cameras, weather sensors, and transportation systems to predict traffic congestion and weather-related risks accordingly. This can lead to improved traffic management, reduced commute times, and enhanced safety for citizens.</li></ul><h3><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjkxNjYwOTM5MDMxLXNodXR0ZXJzdG9ja18xOTc0OTAyNzc3LmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Intelligent traffic systems can improve city efficiency.&nbsp;</h3><h3>Smart Buildings Asset Maintenance at the Edge &nbsp;</h3>Some of the above-listed edge functionalities for cities infrastructures maintenance are directly applicable to smart buildings as well. This is for example the case of the lighting maintenance and water leaks detection functionalities. Nevertheless, smart buildings have their own edge analytics and edge machine learning use cases that can save costs for facility managers, while improving the comfort and satisfaction of the tenants. Here are some prominent examples:<ul><li>Intelligent Occupancy Monitoring: By using edge analytics atop data from occupancy sensors and temperature sensors, facility managers can extract insights about the occupancy patterns of their buildings. This eases the process of adapting HVAC operations towards increasing the cost-effectiveness of the building operations and maximizing the satisfaction of the tenants. This use case has gained popularity following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and the advent of remote work at scale, which have significantly disrupted the conventional nine-to-five occupancy patterns in corporate buildings and related facilities.&nbsp;</li><li>Increased Operational Reliability and Reduced Downtimes: Edge computing and edge analytics can be used to improve the monitoring and maintenance of essential smart building systems, such as HVAC, electrical, and security systems. In particular, the real-time analysis of data at the edge enables facility managers to quickly identify and address issues with the building’s assets. This leads to improved energy efficiency, increased operational reliability, and reduced downtimes.&nbsp;</li><li>Increased Sustainability and Regulatory Compliance:&nbsp;Asset maintenance in smart buildings can leverage edge functionalities to optimize HVAC operations, reduce energy consumption and optimize the CO2 emissions of the building. This is a key to improving the overall environmental performance of the buildings, minimizing energy costs, and working towards compliance with applicable regulations such as the <a href="https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/NYSECC2020P1/effective-use-of-the-energy-conservation-construction-code-of-new-york-state" target="_blank">Energy Conservation Construction Code of the New York state</a>.&nbsp;</li></ul>As cities continue to grow and evolve, the importance of effective maintenance strategies becomes paramount. Edge computing, edge analytics and edge machine learning offer exciting opportunities that revolutionize city maintenance practices by bringing advanced analytics and intelligent decision-making capabilities closer to the data source.&nbsp;From real-time monitoring and anomaly detection to predictive maintenance and traffic optimization, the applications of edge analytics and edge machine learning in city and building maintenance are diverse and far-reaching. Modern cities must therefore embrace this powerful combination of technologies to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of their critical infrastructures, but also to ensure a safer and more resilient urban environment for their citizens.In the coming years, demand for edge functionalities is expected to continue to grow as cities and buildings become increasingly interconnected and data-driven. Edge functionalities are expected to proliferate due to the evolution of available networking infrastructures (e.g., the advent of 5G and 6G network) networks, the proliferation of IoT devices, and the wider availability of ML functionalities at the edge. The latter will enable more advanced and intelligent maintenance applications.Overall, edge computing holds immense potential for transforming city and building maintenance practices. With a forward-thinking approach, cities and building owners can unlock the full benefits of edge computing in the maintenance of their critical assets.<iframe width="540" height="600" src="https://c8056756.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAMyA6BGksOUPEokHuBnEmZRHhYgJ4RXb4BV0gvzN98ymNIvQdTcBFQnRVfviT6yZSFW_R2g1hENBu7p7Afnyv9Kt0unAAbfFU5mMQhBwI-8hQnKf2r1mmRKhUgDLmtk8bpVSZ7kZGpleCPqtYRv8_kkvODL7F4neGLNGgdpFDm9pPzoYpwbQkc0BU5GVOFoq8CSmD0DDvDjG" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" allowfullscreen="" style="display: block;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;max-width: 100%;" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe>

By bringing computing power closer to the data source and reducing latency, edge computing enables real-time monitoring and analysis of critical data, which is already revolutionizing various applications, including smart cities and buildings maintenance applications.

Edge AI for City and Building Maintenance

Artem Meinov, a PhD student at the Faculty of Software Engineering and Computer Systems, has developed a prosthetic training aid for people with motor disorders. The new device helps to strengthen elbow flexor muscles and, in contrast to its competitors, it&rsquo;s portable and can be personalized. Artem has already presented his prototype at a national rehabilitation industry forum and is planning to start its mass production. ITMO.NEWS takes a closer look at the project.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">In spite of all odds &nbsp;</h2>The new prosthesis is meant for people with motor disorders, such as pathological muscle tone distribution, lower muscle tone, and disrupted interaction between agonist (main muscles) and synergist (muscles working jointly with others) muscles. Such conditions can be caused by strokes or infantile cerebral paralysis. With the prosthesis, it&rsquo;s possible to avoid muscle dystrophy, grow muscular mass, and increase joint mobility.Knowing first-hand what life with cerebral palsy can be like, Artem Meinov came up with the idea for the prosthesis as a third-year Bachelor&rsquo;s student at ITMO. Back then, his project was supported by&nbsp;Arkady Kluchev, an associate professor at the Faculty of Software Engineering and Computer Systems. Having assembled a team, Artem successfully built the first prototype, presenting it at several conferences, including those at the Higher School of Economics and Lomonosov Moscow State University. However, the device didn&rsquo;t receive a warm welcome there, which was discouraging for the creators; eventually, the team fell apart.In time, Artem entered the Software Engineering Master&rsquo;s program at ITMO. As a student there, he went on an exchange program to the University of Innsbruck, Austria. There, his project received a new life with support from the university&rsquo;s lecturers. His expertise even earned Artem a position as a consultant for Bachelor&rsquo;s students at the university&rsquo;s Management Center.Apart from that, Artem showcased his idea at the Technical University of Munich, reaching out to Prof. Dr. Nassir Navab, a specialist in medical informatics. It turned out that the researchers in Munich had already been working on a similar system, so Artem was offered to enter a joint project. Unfortunately, soon after he returned to St. Petersburg in February 2020 to defend his thesis, the borders were closed due to pandemic restrictions. The project was to be postponed yet again.Last year, experts from ITMO&rsquo;s Center for Inclusive Education suggested that Artem present his prosthesis at the National Forum for the Rehabilitation Industry and Universal Design in Moscow. By that time, Artem had completed the third edition of his novel device.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1675944591379-1304904.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Artem Meinov and ‪Igor Bessmertny. Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO.NEWS&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">How it works</h2>The prosthesis consists of several components: two elements attached to the shoulder joint and the forearm, respectively, and a hinge that connects all the pieces together. Electronically speaking, it includes a programmable chip, a keyboard, a screen, an input/output system, as well as a servomotor, which puts the machine into action &ndash; helps a user bend an arm in the elbow joint at a certain speed to reach a required angle. With a full charge, the device can run for up to 30-40 minutes, with an average training session lasting a maximum of 20 minutes.&nbsp;To start the training, a rehabilitologist sets the prosthesis into a position comfortable for the user, taking into account their range of motion. After that, the specialist defines the final position for the prosthesis, namely the maximum extension angle that won&rsquo;t harm the patient, as well as their training time, intensity, and speed. All these parameters are tailored individually. The specialist inputs information on the keyboard and can then see it on the display.The developers note that the existing alternatives have a number of crucial drawbacks. As a rule, they are cumbersome and inconvenient and fail to reproduce the full spectrum of motion. Besides, they are stationary and involve all the muscles of the body. Whereas the prosthesis developed by Artem Meinov is mobile and compact, let alone more functional. The device lets users adjust all the parameters for themselves.<blockquote>&ldquo;I want to develop rehabilitation medicine for people with physical disabilities because this market is full of outdated and unaffordable products, which are often created by people who don&rsquo;t know what their users need. Hence, we have lots of troublesome devices. I myself tried on a few simulators and standing frames like that at the forum in Moscow. Unlike those creators, I understand the needs of this group of people because I myself went all the way from undergoing physical therapy to playing sports. Back when I was doing my therapy, 15-20 years ago, there was nothing but treadmills, elliptical trainers, steppers, and so on,&rdquo; shares Artem Meinov.</blockquote><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1675944715886-1304901.jpg" style="width: 768px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1675944737305-1304900.jpg" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The training prosthesis for people with motor disorders. Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO.NEWS&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Prospects</h2>So far, the technology can be used exclusively to exercise the arm muscles, however, the developer is already working to create custom alternatives for wrists and fingers, too. Among the developer&rsquo;s goals is starting mass production of his product. To make it possible, Artem Meinov plans to register his idea as a medical rather than a rehabilitation device because it will let him improve his product, for instance, by using hypoallergenic materials to keep users&rsquo; hands sweat- and allergy-free.&nbsp;<blockquote>&ldquo;The prosthesis has all the chances to enter the market. In fact, some practicing medical specialists and manufacturers have already expressed their interest in the product. In the future, the technology can be adapted for the leg muscles and joints, as well as equipped with a remote monitoring system. Artem still plans to experiment with components and materials, so it&rsquo;s hard to tell the final price right now but I&rsquo;m sure it&rsquo;ll be much more affordable than its analogs,&rdquo; concludes&nbsp;‪Igor Bessmertny, Artem&#39;s PhD supervisor and a professor at ITMO&rsquo;s Faculty of Software Engineering and Computer Systems.</blockquote><hr>Translated by&nbsp;<a href="https://news.itmo.ru/en/science/photonics/news/13044/" id="isPasted" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Catherine Zavodova</a> and originally published by&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://news.itmo.ru/en/&source=gmail&ust=1675942758516000&usg=AOvVaw1BsIcQ9GjkDcMxzcKTYAxi" href="https://news.itmo.ru/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ITMO.NEWS</a>

Artem Meinov. Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO.NEWS

Artem Meinov, a PhD student at the Faculty of Software Engineering and Computer Systems, has developed a prosthetic training aid for people with motor disorders. The new device helps to strengthen elbow flexor muscles and, in contrast to its competitors, it’s portable and can be personalized.

Student Creates Prosthetic Rehabilitation Aid for People With Motor Disorders

A dive into how AI is helping overcome limitations with current prosthetics by offering improved signal decoding, functionality and more intuitive control.  


How AI is Helping Power Next-Generation Prosthetic Limbs

Where are all the robots that we were promised? No offense to the Roomba...but really, that&#39;s the best we can do?&nbsp;How old are The Jetsons now? (...and where is Westworld?)<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gt7isb55oSU?&wmode=opaque&rel=0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe> Unfortunately, the beautiful future of maintenance droids isn&#39;t here yet. Fortunately for engineers, the cost of innovating in robotics has never been lower.&nbsp;Moore&#39;s Law is certainly helping to bring down the cost of the electronics associated with robotics innovation. Perhaps more importantly, new advancements in additive manufacturing are now making it possible for bright young engineers to build exciting new products in the field of robotics, at a small fraction of the cost of just a few years ago.Here&#39;s a striking example. DARPA spent $40 million over eight years through its Revolutionizing Prosthetics program to develop robotic limbs, with the most famous output of that program being the <a href="https://www.designnews.com/medical/darpa-backs-further-development-dekas-luke-arm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&quot;Luke Arm&quot; by Dean Kamen</a>.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hEltvQx583g?&wmode=opaque&rel=0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe> You&#39;ve probably heard of Dean Kamen, he invented the Segway. But have you heard of <a href="https://inculture.microsoft.com/people-who-inspire/easton/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Easton LaChappelle</a>? Easton invented a prosthetic arm as an eighth-grader, and then founded <a href="https://www.unlimitedtomorrow.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Unlimited Tomorrow</a> to bring his invention to the world.&nbsp;<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zOyTflNqTiE?&wmode=opaque&rel=0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe> Additive manufacturing has played a huge role in enabling Easton and his team to offer a prosthetic arm for a very small fraction of what the competition charges. Let me show you the price difference:<ul><li style="font-weight: bold;">DARPA &quot;Luke Arm&quot; =&gt; ~$40,000,000</li><li style="font-weight: bold;">Typical Bionic Hand Price Today =&gt; ~$40,000</li><li style="font-weight: bold;">Unlimited Tomorrow TrueLimb =&gt; ~$8,000</li></ul>While the price of a bionic hand has come down approximately 1000x from the initial DARPA program, Unlimited Tomorrow is leveraging additive manufacturing to offer the only product in this category that is under $10,000. (Source:&nbsp;<a href="https://bionicsforeveryone.com/bionic-hand-price-list/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bionics for Everyone</a>) Easton has been using 3D printers for most of his life, it is no surprise that he&#39;s found a way to massively out-innovate the competition.Who is innovating to bring the price down another order of magnitude?&nbsp;The Wevolver community will certainly remember Ben Choi. As a high school student, he invented a brain-controlled prosthetic arm that was a winner in <a href="https://polyspectra.com/blog/announce-make-it-real-challenge/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wevolver &amp; polySpectra&#39;s 2020 Make it Real Challenge</a>. He then went on to win pretty much every science fair on the planet, <a href="https://polyspectra.com/blog/3d-printed-brain-controlled-prosthetics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">including the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair</a>. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8QECoLsBKk8?&wmode=opaque&rel=0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe> The electronics for Ben&#39;s current design cost slightly less than $300. Depending on what you print the polymer components out of, that&#39;s going to add another few hundred dollars. Even with really high-end additive materials, that&#39;s still a &gt;40,000x price reduction from the Luke Arm!<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjYwMDcyMTExMTk4LWNob2liZW5qYW1pbnByb2plY3RwaG90by5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 413px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> It won&#39;t come as a surprise to this community that 3D printing is a great way to prototype robotics. What may not be obvious is that additive manufacturing has now advanced to the point where anyone can access production-grade digital manufacturing.&nbsp;To prove it to you, here are five categories of end-use robotics components that can now be made on-demand with additive manufacturing, as well as some of the considerations you&#39;ll want to keep in mind when deciding what process and material to use. <h2>1. Enclosures and Housings</h2>Moore&#39;s Law brought down the cost of the electronics. Now we need somewhere to put them. Depending on the environment that the device is in, this is arguably one of the easier types of robotics components to manufacture with 3D printing.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjYwMDc1NjYwMDk5LWJlbmphbWluX2Nob2kud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Society for Science via Smithsonian MagazineWhen considering how to 3D print your electronics enclosures and housings, be sure to keep in mind the accuracy, impact resistance, and dielectric properties of the additive material. Unless your robot is going into an extreme environment, it&#39;s likely that the accuracy and toughness of the material will be the limiting factors for performance.<h2>2. End Effectors</h2>End-effectors, grippers, fingers, tools - there are a lot of words for the robotics components that interface with the external environment. The complexity and opportunity for customization makes end-effectors a particularly interesting application for additive manufacturing. Suction cups, prosthetics, grippers - humanoid or not - there is a lot of room for creativity and optimization here.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjYwMDcyODM5NDUzLUVuZC1lZmZlY3RvcnMtZGVzaWduZWQtYnktUGVubi1TdGF0ZS1zdHVkZW50cy0yMDIxLndlYnAiLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 436px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Image courtesy Gen3DHere are three major factors to consider when selecting an appropriate material to 3D-print end-effectors:<ul><li>Cytotoxicity - Is it biologically safe to interact with people?</li><li>Impact strength - Is it going to break on the job?</li><li>Chemical resistance&nbsp;(including water) - Can it withstand humidity, fluid contact, sterilization, washing?</li></ul><h2><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/664576477" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe> 3. Gears and Impellers</h2>Even something as simple as a gear has an incredible number of details to consider. In this video, we highlight just a few of the materials properties that need to be kept in mind:<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KtHe-7f2RIM?&wmode=opaque&rel=0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe> Impact strength, hardness, and chemically compatibility are critical to consider when it comes to 3D-printing components that are going to be in dynamic contact with other pieces. For many applications in biomedical devices, you&#39;ll also want to choose a material with &quot;Grade 0&quot; Cytotoxicity (ISO 10993-5) 4. Fluidics and ManifoldsFluid handling, pneumatics, manifolds - all of these can be an essential part of the device design. Whether you are simply dealing with airflow and cooling, or doing fancier pneumatic activation of a soft robot - 3D printing can offer a degree of geometric complexity that affords functions that are difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjYwMDcyMzIxNzAyLUNPUi1BbHBoYS1WZW50dXJpLVZhbHZlMi5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 458px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">A COR Alpha venturi valve, printed for Respira.WorksUnfortunately, not all 3D printing processes produce fluid-tight or air-tight components. Among those that do, the surface roughness can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Smooth, sealed surfaces are a major advantage of stereolithography (including DLP and all of the other branded subvariants of vat photopolymerization).<h2>5. Lightweight Structural Supports</h2>Robots tend to be really heavy. If you have hundreds of millions of dollars for cutting-edge components, apparently you can still afford to make them do backflips:<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fRj34o4hN4I?&wmode=opaque&rel=0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe>For the rest of us, light-weighting strategies such as &quot;topology optimization&quot; are now widely available through software packages such as nTopology, Gen3D, and even Fusion 360. The ability to create durable end-use components with high strength-to-weight ratios has never been more accessible and more affordable.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjYwMDcyNTc3MjI3LXRvcC1vcC1icmFja2V0LUNPUi1BbHBoYV9odWJkMjFlZWUwMDUxODY2MTI2YzQ2MWZhYjA2ZDliNzIwXzMzNjIyNDlfNTQweDBfcmVzaXplX3ExMDBfaDJfYm94LndlYnAiLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 460px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Depending on the application, there are a number of lightweighting strategies that can unlock parts with high performance and low cost. These range from the classic periodic lattices, to finite-element-driven mass minimizations, to even more unique topologies such as Spherene&#39;s Adaptive Density Minimal Surfaces.&nbsp;Make sure to pay attention to the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) of your material - this is likely to be the limiting factor for your design when you are minimizing the mass.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JtLmX3VOUtE?&wmode=opaque&rel=0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe> <h2>Ready for rugged robotics?</h2>Are you working on the next generation of robotics and automation? Do you need access to best-in-class additive manufacturing to help make your ideas real?&nbsp;If so, today is your lucky day. Wevolver readers receive a 22% discount on COR parts for the rest of 2022, by using the discount code &quot;WE-LOVE-WEVOLVER-22&quot;. Head over to <a href="https://polyspectra.com/start-here/" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">polySpectra.com/start-here/</a> or simply drag and drop your CAD files below to get an instant quote today!<iframe src="https://app.digifabster.com/polyspectra/widget/upload/" class="fr-draggable" width="100%" height="900" frameborder="0">Your browser may not support iframes.</iframe> Still unsure if 3D printing can meet your strict requirements?&nbsp;Check out the spec sheet for yourself: <a href="https://geni.us/COR-Alpha-TDS" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://geni.us/COR-Alpha-TDS</a>

Advancements in 3D printing have helped to lower the cost of robotics innovation by more than 40,000x! This article explains how that happened and highlights 5 categories of end-use robotics components that can be made on-demand with additive manufacturing today. 

Democratizing Robotics Innovation with Additive Manufacturing

The skin of cephalopods, such as octopuses, squids and cuttlefish, is stretchy and smart, contributing to these creatures&rsquo; ability to sense and respond to their surroundings. A Penn State-led collaboration has harnessed these properties to create an artificial skin that mimics both the elasticity and the neurologic functions of cephalopod skin, with potential applications for neurorobotics, skin prosthetics, artificial organs and more.  &nbsp;Led by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bme.psu.edu/department/directory-detail-g.aspx?q=cmy5358" target="_blank">Cunjiang Yu</a>, Dorothy Quiggle Career Development Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, the team published its findings on June 1 in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2204852119" target="_blank">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>. &nbsp;Cephalopod skin is a soft organ that can endure complex deformations, such as expanding, contracting, bending and twisting. It also possesses cognitive sense-and-respond functions that enable the skin to sense light, react and camouflage its wearer. While artificial skins with either these physical or these cognitive capabilities have existed previously, according to Yu, until now none has simultaneously exhibited both qualities &mdash; the combination needed for advanced, artificially intelligent bioelectronic skin devices.  &nbsp;&ldquo;Although several artificial camouflage skin devices have been recently developed, they lack critical noncentralized neuromorphic processing and cognition capabilities, and materials with such capabilities lack robust mechanical properties,&rdquo; Yu said. &ldquo;Our recently developed soft synaptic devices have achieved brain-inspired computing and artificial nervous systems that are sensitive to touch and light that retain these neuromorphic functions when biaxially stretched.&rdquo;  &nbsp;To simultaneously achieve both smartness and stretchability, the researchers constructed synaptic transistors entirely from elastomeric materials. These rubbery semiconductors operate in a similar fashion to neural connections, exchanging critical messages for system-wide needs, impervious to physical changes in the system&rsquo;s structure. The key to creating a soft skin device with both cognitive and stretching capabilities, according to Yu, was using elastomeric rubbery materials for every component. This approach resulted in a device that can successfully exhibit and maintain neurological synaptic behaviors, such as image sensing and memorization, even when stretched, twisted and poked 30% beyond a natural resting state.  &nbsp;&ldquo;With the recent surge of smart skin devices, implementing neuromorphic functions into these devices opens the door for a future direction toward more powerful biomimetics,&rdquo; Yu said. &ldquo;This methodology for implementing cognitive functions into smart skin devices could be extrapolated into many other areas, including neuromorphic computing wearables, artificial organs, soft neurorobotics and skin prosthetics for next-generation intelligent systems.&rdquo; &nbsp;The Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program and the National Science Foundation supported this work.&nbsp;Yu is also affiliated with the Material Research Institute and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. &nbsp;Co-authors include Hyunseok Shim, Seonmin Jang and Shubham Patel, Penn State Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics; Anish Thukral and Bin Kan, University of Houston Department of Mechanical Engineering; Seongsik Jeong, Hyeson Jo and Hai-Jin Kim, Gyeongsang National University School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Guodan Wei, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute; and Wei Lan, Lanzhou University School of Physical Science and Technology. &nbsp;

A Penn State-led collaboration developed an artificial skin made completely of rubber that mimics both the elasticity and cognitive characteristics found in octopuses and other cephalopods.    Credit: Volodymyr Ivanenko/iStock. All Rights Reserved.

Penn State-led researchers develop first artificial skin to maintain cognitive characteristics when deformed.

Rubbery camouflage skin exhibits smart and stretchy behaviors

In this episode, we talk about a system developed by MIT researchers to optimize new material development and LifeNabled - a non-profit organization - that leverages 3D printing technology and generative design to develop cost-effective, bespoke prosthetics. As always, you can find these and other interesting &amp; impactful engineering articles on Wevolver.com.<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/1c1300b7-8e1f-4179-8389-075cca962518?dark=false" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-12="true"></iframe>&nbsp;<hr>This podcast is sponsored by <a href="https://www2.mouser.com/" id="isPasted" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a>. &nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjM1ODQyMzM0MjkzLU1vdXNlci1zcG9uc29yLTEtYS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><hr><h3 id="isPasted">EPISODE NOTES</h3>(1:11) - &nbsp;Accelerating New Material Discovery 🔬⚗️(11:40) -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/walking-on-the-worlds-most-advanced-prosthetics-in-the-jungles-of-guatemala" target="_blank">World’s Most Advanced Prosthetics 🦾🦿</a>Episode 42 was brought to you by Mouser Electronics, Farbod &amp; Daniel’s favorite electronics distributor. Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjhl3UgbWxI" target="_blank">here&nbsp;</a>to learn more about Mouser's 3D printed car project hosted by Grant Imahara.<hr>About the podcast:Every day, some of the most innovative universities, companies, and individual technology developers share their knowledge on Wevolver. To ensure we can also provide this knowledge for the growing group of podcast listeners, we started a collaboration with two young engineers, Daniel Scott Mitchell &amp; Farbod Moghaddam who discuss the most interesting content in this podcast series.&nbsp;To learn more about this show, please visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" target="_blank">shows page</a>. By following the page, you will get automatic updates by email when a new show is published.Be sure to give us a follow and review on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/the-next-byte/id1548255861?l=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apple</a> podcasts,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6lPPsRtegnivsRUEsQ09R7?si=IPMiah7xT_apJtPjqvXMlA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, and most of your favorite podcast platforms!Take a few seconds to leave us a review. It really helps!&nbsp;<a href="https://apple.co/2RIsbZ2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://apple.co/2RIsbZ2</a>if you do it and send us proof, we’ll give you a shoutout on the show.

In this episode, we talk about a system developed by MIT researchers to optimize new material development and LifeNabled - a non-profit organization - that leverages 3D printing technology and generative design to develop cost-effective, bespoke prosthetics. 

Podcast: World's Most Advanced Prosthetics

This article was discussed in our <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte&source=gmail&ust=1640817319915000&usg=AOvVaw2nPRdRwJrXSYYeM9RCFu5x" href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/1c1300b7-8e1f-4179-8389-075cca962518?dark=false" class="fr-draggable"></iframe>The full article will continue below.<hr><h2 id="isPasted">Background</h2>Brent Wright is a Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist. Together with his wife, Meredith Wright, they co-founded <a href="https://lifenabled.org/" target="_blank">LifeNabaled</a>, a non-profit provider of prosthetic solutions for the developing world, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.Brent and his team are changing the lives of amputees in northern Guatemala who do not have the means to afford prosthetic care. Their bi-yearly clinics have treated hundreds of patients over the past 15 years.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjM0ODAxNzg5NTQyLUxpZmVOYWJsZWQtblRvcG9sb2d5LUNTLTFfSG9zcGl0YWwuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Hospital Shalom is the only facility that provides prosthetics care to patients of the Petén region in northern Guatemala.&nbsp;</div>However, fabricating prostheses is a highly technical job. Evaluating, manufacturing, and fitting prostheses to the 30-50 patients during the week-long clinics took a physical toll on Brent and his team of volunteers.For their latest clinic, Brent and his team applied their years of experience in prostheses fabrication and additive manufacturing to develop a fully digital workflow. In this case study, we walk you through the steps they followed — from 3D scanning to design and manufacture — to create custom, 3D printed prosthetic sockets based on patient data in a cost-effective manner.<blockquote>“People who could not possibly afford a prosthesis now have the best device in the world. Without nTopology, none of this would be possible”<cite>Brent Wright, Co-Founder and Clinical Director at LifeNabled</cite></blockquote><h2>Traditional Vs. Digital Fabrication of Prostheses</h2>Traditional fabrication of prostheses is a laborious process. Since each socket needs to offer a custom-made fit for each patient, the fabrication is entirely manual. Typically, there are three steps involved in the process:<ul><li>First, the Prosthetist takes a cast of the amputee’s missing extremity during patient evaluation.</li><li>Then, they use the cast to create a custom mold to thermoform the socket. The socket is connected to off-the-shelf components to manufacture the prosthesis.</li><li>Finally, the Prosthetist fits the prosthetic device to the patient and makes the necessary adjustments to ensure a good fit.</li></ul><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjM0ODAxODE3MzE0LUxpZmVOYWJsZWQtblRvcG9sb2d5LUNTLTJfUHJvY2Vzcy5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Manual fabrication of prostheses is a time-consuming, expertise-intensive, and laborious process.&nbsp;</div>Brent’s vision is to fully digitize the design and manufacturing steps. These steps are the most expertise-demanding phases of the prostheses fabrication process. At the same time, his team can train locals (or guide them through video calls) to perform the evaluation and fitting steps, eliminating the need for an expert to be present in the remote location.As a proof of concept, the team cut the cord to traditional manufacturing in the last clinic and followed a fully digital process. By digitizing the entire workflow, they can focus on making the process scalable and as cost-effective as possible.Here’s an overview of the new digital workflow:<ul><li>First, two team members flew to Guatemala to take 3D scans. In just two days, they were able to evaluate 35 amputees.</li><li>Then, over the next two weeks, Brent designed and customized each device and manufactured the sockets using HP’s MJF 3D printing technology.</li><li>Finally, the team returned to Guatemala a month later to deliver the devices and fit them to the patients.</li></ul><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjM0ODAxODQyODc3LUxpZmVOYWJsZWQtblRvcG9sb2d5LUNTLTNfRGlnaXRhbC1GYWJyaWNhdGlvbi5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Digital fabrication of prostheses is streamlined. First, a 3D scan of the patient is taken (left) and then the custom socket and inner lining can be 3D printed from a digital design (right).&nbsp;</div>The results were astounding! All patients left the clinic walking on the most advanced prosthesis in the world. Moreover, the team achieved this result with a fraction of the effort. “We worked hard during that time, but we worked smart, and we were able to easily take the scans we needed so that when we came back, we were more efficient and valuable,” Brent Wright mentioned.<h2>Flexible 3D Printed Inner Liners</h2>The inner liner is an essential part of the prosthesis. The socket must be comfortable to the wearer while working or during prolonged hours of use. Moreover, it has to be breathable to ensure good hygiene. “We need to make sure that the prosthesis breathes, especially in the jungles of Guatemala,” mentioned Brent.However, traditional gel-like inner liners are not very breathable, cost more than $160, and have a limited life span of only 3 to 6 months in the tropical climates of Guatemala. This cost is prohibitively expensive for the local people who live on $2 to $3 a day.Brent’s team wanted to replace the expensive liners with knitted socks. Socks are very affordable, breathable, easily customizable, and washable. To ensure comfort, the team turned to 3D printed foams to design a flexible inner socket liner.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjM0ODAxODY1MzY4LUxpZmVOYWJsZWQtblRvcG9sb2d5LUNTLTRfblRvcC1PdmVydmlldy5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The final design of one of the 30+ custom-made flexible inner linings — designed in nTopology&nbsp;</div>3D printed foams are flexible <a href="https://ntopology.com/lattice-structures/" target="_blank">lattice structures</a> that imitate the properties of traditional foams. They are manufactured from an elastic material like TPU and offer additional benefits over conventional foams.For example, their properties can be tuned (from soft foam to stiff plastic) according to the physiology or preferences of the patient. This effect can be achieved by closely controlling the design input parameters of the lattice, such as beam thickness and porosity, using advanced <a href="https://ntopology.com/ntopology-software/" target="_blank">engineering design software</a> like nTopology.<h2>From 3D Scan to Manufacturing</h2>Even after the team has determined the 3D printed foam design parameters to achieve the desired cushioning, applying it to 30+ custom socket designs would be a challenge. Without nTopology, this step would be a “brutal process” according to Brent. The legacy software he was using prior to nTopology would often crush or take hours to generate a result.<blockquote>“Designing custom flexible inner liners was going to be a challenging task if we would do it in any other software other than nTopology. Once the workflow was done, all I had to do was to swap out meshes. The process ran over and over again.”<cite>Brent Wright, Co-Founder and Clinical Director at LifeNabled</cite></blockquote>The workflow is semi-automated and straightforward to implement. Here’s the overview:<ul><li>Using the mesh of the patient’s 3D scan data as input, they first generated a shell with variable thickness.</li><li>They then used nTopology’s latticing blocks to create a flexible inner liner that provided the necessary level of cushioning.</li><li>To repeat the process and generate a new design, they only had to swap in a new input mesh with 3D scan data from another patient.</li></ul>With nTopology’s reusable workflows, the team saved more than a whole day of error-prone computational processing during the design phase and produced higher-quality and error-free results.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjM0ODAxODkwNzE2LUxpZmVOYWJsZWQtblRvcG9sb2d5LUNTLTVfblRvcC1Qcm9jZXNzLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Overview of the design process in nTopology — from importing a 3D scan mesh to exporting a manufacturing-ready 3MF mesh file&nbsp;</div>For manufacturing, the team opted for HP’s Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing process in TPU. This process and material combination is excellent for manufacturing flexible lattice structures with variable thickness for padding. TPU is also very durable, making it an ideal option for the jungle of Guatemala.Overall, this digital process saved the team 2-3 days of fabrication and replaced a laborious manual step with streamlined digital manufacturing.<h2>Changing Lives</h2>Beyond the technological achievements, this is a human story. There is little to no access to prosthetic care in these regions of Guatemala. Since the vast majority of these amputees live under a few dollars a day, affording a prosthesis is simply not an option.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjM0ODAxOTEzNzI3LUxpZmVOYWJsZWQtblRvcG9sb2d5LUNTLTZfUGF0aWVudHMuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 766px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Three of the 30+ patients fitted with their new 3D printed prosthetic devices.&nbsp;</div>Because Brent’s team has been doing these clinics for so long, they have seen how a prosthesis can change a patient’s life.For example, 15 years ago, they started treating a young child when he was only three years old. Due to his condition, all four extremities were drastically affected by either amputation or congenital defects.Without the prostheses, he would be destined to a life of poverty and begging on the streets. Instead, the young man is now going to accounting school to become an accountant, and he will be able to provide for his family.<h2>The Next Steps</h2>Brent’s goal is to create a global network of prosthetic device providers for the developing world. With digital manufacturing and engineering design tools like nTopology, this dream is achievable.<blockquote>“There are millions of people that need prostheses worldwide. It’s a team effort to reach all of them. This is a human story. This is not a story of how we get a profit out of humans. It is a story of how we get people walking.”<cite>Brent Wright, Co-Founder and Clinical Director at LifeNabled</cite></blockquote>There are multiple industrial-grade 3D printing systems located worldwide (even in developing countries) that could be leveraged to manufacture the needed prosthetic devices. Local physicians can be trained through video calls to evaluate the patient and fit the prostheses. As for the design of the device, this can be generated using the automated processes that Brent’s team has developed.From a technical perspective, Brent continues to refine his designs to make them even more cost-effective. For example, his team is currently creating lighter socket ribs with a simulation-driven geometry using a <a href="https://ntopology.com/field-driven-design/" target="_blank">field-driven design</a> approach.<hr>This case study was first published on the <a href="https://ntopology.com/case-studies/3d-printed-prosthetics-guatemala/" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">nTopology blog</a>.

LifeNabled volunteers and designers created a fully digital workflow to produce custom 3D printed prosthetic sockets with flexible inner liners. Now, 35 patients in the jungle of Guatemala are walking on the most advanced prosthetic and orthotic devices in the world.