Course at a Glance
The course will present the different concepts underlying robotic rehabilitation. It will discuss the limitation of conventional physical therapy and the potential of robotics in the field of rehabilitation. Emphasis will be given both in technological and neuroscientific aspects related to the recovery of impaired patients.
Instructors
Jacopo Zenzeri jacopo.zenzeri@iit.it
Pietro Morasso pietro.morasso@iit.it
Credits: 4
Synopsis
Rehabilitation robotics is the application of robots to overcome disabilities and improve quality of life after brain injuries. In contrast with other areas in robotics, this course considers not only engineering design and development, but also the human factors that make some innovative technologies successful.
The first part of the course will deal with the clinical and neuroscientific aspects related to the rehabilitation. The second part will analyze the technological characteristics needed to design robots able to interact with humans.
Ultimately, the last part will present examples on how the two parts can be combined in order to optimally design robots and the related rehabilitation protocols to effectively improve subjects’ recovery process.
Syllabus
- The concept of robotic rehabilitation
- Conventional rehabilitation techniques
- Neural plasticity and sensorimotor functions
- Robots for rehabilitation: manipulators, exoskeletons
- Possible control strategies: assistive, passive, active
- Case studies and future trends
Final exam
There will be a final examination decided by the instructors.
Prerequisites
None
Reading List
Specific readings will be assigned for each class.
Venue
Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova
Course dates
October – November 2017
- Docente: PIETRO MORASSO