Project description
Improving coordination of artificial limbs
Artificial supernumerary limbs (SLs), which are human controlled wearable robotic arms, have the potential to allow their user to perform actions that they would otherwise not be able to perform with their natural limbs. The development and understanding of such devices, for their use independently of and in combination with the user’s natural limbs, presents new and unique opportunities for automation and in the assistance of individuals suffering from impairment after stroke. Scientists of the EU-funded TRIMANUAL project aim to overcome current SL limitations associated with user interfaces, lack of a control framework and incomplete sensory feedback. They plan to advance SL technology and provide a real-time interface with simultaneous sensory feedback which will offer the possibility for effortless control.
Objective
Artificial supernumerary limbs (SL) that assist their user with minimal cognitive effort and can be seamlessly controlled both independently and also in combination with their natural limbs, are a popular vision of science fiction. The realisation of this vision could revolutionise industry and surgery, by allowing individuals to achieve actions that are otherwise impossible with only their own natural limbs. Furthermore, SLs could have profound impact on the lives of the disabled, by replacing or restoring the functionality of an impaired limb. While the study and evaluation of robotic limbs is well established, their usage as artificial SLs has been limited by restrictive control user interfaces, the lack of a control framework for coordinated trimanual operation, and incomplete sensory feedback. For SLs to become a functional technology for everyday life they need to provide continuous real-time interfaces with simultaneous feedback and control of the different degrees of freedom so that the user can both uniquely, without confusion, identify the mechanism's position/force and control the SL such that it can act independent of and in combined behaviours with the user's other limbs.
To tackle this ambitious goal, I have contacted pioneers with key technology in the emerging field of SL research. In collaboration with them, I will in TRIMANUAL:
(i) Push the borders of SL technology by integrating high density EMG and vibrotactile sensory feedback into existing robotic devices to allow for intuitive and effortless SL control in real-time;
(ii) Understand the cognitive underpinnings of SL usage by studying how they can be controlled and embodied for both independent operation and coordinated behaviours with the natural limbs;
(iii) Apply and demonstrate SLs using the highly relevant medical application of supporting daily activities in stroke patients.
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.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine surgery
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology stroke
- humanities languages and literature literature studies literary genres essays science fiction
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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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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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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.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
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.