Project description
Development of a new concept for movement augmentation
The EU-funded NIMA project is advancing a novel concept to use the redundancy of the motor system on different levels to control additional artificial limbs, devices or computers independently of the movements of the natural limbs. The project team that will work towards accomplishing this goal comprises experts in neuroscience, neurotechnology, human–machine interfaces, robotics and ethics. The main objectives include the creation of non-invasive interfaces with multimodal sensory feedback for the control of multiple limbs or objects, the elucidation of the cognitive and neural mechanisms controlling movement augmentation, the preparation of the ground for exploitation and the evaluation of the ethical and safety aspects of movement augmentation.
Objective
An artificial third arm that assists my actions with little cognitive effort and that can seamlessly be controlled concurrently and independently to my natural arms is a popular phantasm in science fiction. If to come true, however, this vision would revolutionise human life by enabling people to accomplish tasks that are sheer impossible with their natural limbs alone. Surgeons could become able to control additional surgical devices, a computer mouse commanded simultaneously to my fingers would enable me to operate a maps application on my phone while dragging my luggage, etc. The NIMA project follows a concrete and novel concept to make this vision a reality, by exploiting the redundancy of the motor system on different levels for controlling additional degrees-of-freedom of supernumerary limbs, devices or computers independently from movements of the natural limbs. We have formed a team of leading experts in neuroscience, neurotechnology, human-machine interfaces, robotics, and ethics, to accomplish the following objectives: 1) Pushing the borders of technology by creating non-invasive interfaces with multimodal sensory feedback that will allow effortless control of multiple limbs or objects, as well as a wearable supernumerary robotic limb. 2) Understanding the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying movement augmentation, how it can be functionally embodied and how this can be facilitated by multimodal feedback, by combining neuromodulation, computational modelling and behavioural experiments. 3) Applying movement augmentation to extend human capacities and preparing the ground for exploitation, using three relevant testbeds: i) manipulation with a wearable supernumerary robotic arm and the two hands, ii) assistance in surgical manipulation to extend surgeon capabilities and autonomy, iii) 3-hands computer interface. 4) Evaluating the ethical and safety aspects of movement augmentation.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
H2020-EU.1.2. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme -
H2020-EU.1.2.1. - FET Open
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
RIA - Research and Innovation action
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2020
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
79098 Freiburg
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.