On the design of ergonomic wearable robotic devices for motion assistance and rehabilitation.

The appropriate ergonomic design of a wearable robotic device is critical for the effectiveness of the device itself. In this paper we identified two key requirements for a structural ergonomics: the correct kinematic compatibility with the human limb and a comfortable and adaptable physical human-robot interface. We then show how the aforementioned requirements have been faced and implemented in the mechanical design of two wearable devices for elbow and hand rehabilitation, both developed at The BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant' Anna.

The neuro-robotics paradigm: NEURARM, NEUROExos, HANDEXOS.

This work describes the neuro-robotics paradigm: the fusion of neuroscience and robotics. The fusion of neuroscience and robotics, called neuro-robotics, is fundamental to develop robotic systems to be used in functional support, personal assistance and neuro-rehabilitation. While usually the robotic device is considered as a "tool" for neuroscientific studies, a breakthrough is obtained if the two scientific competences and methodologies converge to develop innovative platforms to go beyond robotics by including novel models to design better robots.