Objective Upper limb loss affects 94.000 individuals in Europe. Advanced treatments rely on myoelectric prostheses controlled by amputees’ electromyograms or EMG. Despite expected benefits, today's schemes provide limited re-gain of functionality and lack of bio-mimesis, i.e. they use: (1) direct mapping between EMG and prosthesis joint angle, disregarding underlying neuromusculoskeletal processes, and failing to generalize to unseen conditions (robustness lack), (2) stiff actuators not mimicking biological compliant joints, preventing natural motion (functionality lack). MIMICS proposes a biomimetic paradigm: (1) a modelling formulation that simulates amputee’s phantom limb musculoskeletal dynamics as controlled by EMGs, and (2) prostheses with variable stiffness “soft” actuators. This opens to next-generation “soft” prostheses that can mimic biological limb functionality and robustness; a priority of current European policies and technology roadmaps, with estimated initial markets for functional myoelectric prostheses of €1 billion. MIMICS combines required interdisciplinary skills on soft actuation (host), neuromusculoskeletal modelling (fellow), and clinical bionic reconstruction (secondment). The career development plan is tailored on fellow’s needs: new skills acquisition (soft actuation/clinical prosthetics), project/teamwork management, open science/gender aspects care, ERC grant writing support. The action transfers fellow’s pre-acquired knowledge to the host and opens cooperation with secondment institute, thus increasing host’s visibility in myoelectric control and clinical prosthetics. The secondment expands MIMICS outcomes to boarder clinical perspectives and boosts knowledge transfer among organizations. Outreach activities plan to improve public understanding of MIMICS achievements, socio-economical potentials and clinical benefits. This all is set to improve fellow’s career prospects and form a European network of excellence in neurorehabilitation technologies Fields of science medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants Keywords biomimetic EMG-driven musculoskeletal modelling muscle-actuated simulation joint stiffness prosthesis myoelectric control real-time modelling upper limb variable stiffness actuator Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA Net EU contribution € 168 277,20 Address Via morego 30 16163 Genova Italy See on map Region Nord-Ovest Liguria Genova Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
