Project description
Empowering youth through new assistive tech
For many children and young people with movement-related conditions, everyday activities can be challenging and may require additional support. While assistive technologies can help people live more independently, many current solutions are costly and do not adapt easily to each person’s abilities and needs. The EU-funded EXOAIM project is developing a new generation of soft, intelligent, and personalised exoskeletons designed specifically for children and adolescents with neurological and neuromuscular conditions. By testing its solutions in real-life settings across Europe, EXOAIM aims to promote greater independence, well-being, and inclusiveness, as well as create new types of assistive technologies.
Objective
EXOAIM addresses the unmet needs of over 5.4 million children and young people in EU living with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and other neuromuscular or neurological impairments—conditions that impose lifelong restrictions on autonomy, inclusion, and participation. Existing assistive technologies remain rigid, expensive, and poorly adapted to the complex realities of these users, undermining the ambitions of the EU Disability Strategy 2021–2030. EXOAIM will develop, test and validate inclusive, human-centric technologies that empower users, enhance well-being, and support independent living by delivering a new class of soft, modular, and intelligent exoskeletons tailored to children and adolescents. The project advances four interlinked technology strands: (1) soft EMG and biosensors embedded in textiles to monitor movement, fatigue, and intention; (2) adaptive AI-based control enabling real-time, predictive coordination between user and device; (3) modular exoskeletons for lower-limb and head/neck support, combining biomechanical optimisation with soft, growth-friendly materials; and (4) human-centred interaction strategies that enhance comfort, trust, and social acceptance. This integrated approach ensures that support is ergonomic, scalable, and responsive to individual needs. Three multi-country pilots in Denmark, Belgium, Spain, and Serbia will validate these solutions across school, rehabilitation, and community settings. Pilots will generate robust evidence on autonomy, well-being, and participation, directly informing inclusive practices, empowerment frameworks, and an EU Policy & Procurement Toolkit. By embedding co-creation, intersectionality, and human-centred design from the outset, EXOAIM will deliver transformative, evidence-based pathways for large-scale adoption. The project will therefore provide the foundation for rights-based assistive technology in Europe—replacing systemic exclusion with empowered, dignified, and participatory futures.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors biosensors
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology muscular dystrophies
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine physiotherapy
- engineering and technology materials engineering textiles
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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.
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HORIZON.2.2 - Culture, creativity and inclusive society
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.2.3 - Social and Economic Transformations
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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.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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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) HORIZON-CL2-2025-01
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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.
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark
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.