On November 18th, the Harvard Science & Engineering Complicated was the location of an thrilling convergence of healthcare professionals, educational researchers, innovators, and startups all centered on bettering the standard of life for ageing and mobility-impaired people. The “Robotics in Age & Assistive Tech” occasion, hosted by MassRobotics, in collaboration with The Grid and Harvard’s Transfer Lab, introduced collectively a various group of stakeholders to debate the challenges and options within the quickly rising discipline of robotics and assistive know-how.
This distinctive occasion explored how robotics and synthetic intelligence (AI) may be leveraged to boost mobility, independence, and general well-being for older adults and people with bodily impairments. The gathering underscored the vital position of collaboration between analysis establishments, healthcare suppliers, and progressive startups to create impactful options within the age and assistive tech area.
A Imaginative and prescient for the Way forward for Assistive Know-how
The occasion’s major aim was to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among the many many disciplines and sectors concerned in ageing and mobility tech. Whether or not it was healthcare companies, educational researchers, assistive tech startups, or public well being professionals, everybody in attendance shared a standard mission: to enhance the standard of life for these going through mobility challenges.
Earlier than the occasion’s formal periods started, members got the chance to take a tour of Harvard’s Transfer Lab, led by Professor Conor Walsh. The Transfer Lab is a collaborative area the place engineering and design intersect to create purposeful wearable units that improve mobility. Professor Walsh’s insights into the lab’s groundbreaking work highlighted the potential of robotics in remodeling healthcare and rehabilitation processes.
Tackling the Wants and Challenges
The occasion kicked off with displays on the wants and challenges going through ageing and mobility-impaired populations. Keynotes from Indra Sandal and Kevin White of Tampa Veterans Hospital supplied perception into the mobility wants of sufferers in hospital and rehabilitation settings. These consultants highlighted how technological innovation is crucial to assembly the rising demand for mobility aids and help programs in healthcare amenities.
The AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative, represented by Danielle Duplin, additionally introduced on the particular challenges going through ageing populations. Her insights highlighted the significance of growing accessible, inexpensive options that target “pleasure”, and permitting the ageing to make use of instruments and applied sciences which can be easy to make use of and don’t require help in order that the consumer feels unbiased.
Moreover, Michael Bankowski, founding father of Affluent Well being, spoke in regards to the vital position of caregivers and the challenges they face. Because the inhabitants ages, the necessity for superior assistive applied sciences to help each caregivers and people they take care of is extra urgent than ever.
Chopping-Edge Analysis and Innovation
The occasion continued with a collection of displays from main researchers within the discipline of robotics and assistive know-how. Paolo Bonato, Director of the Movement Evaluation Laboratory at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, shared analysis from the hospital’s BioRobotics Laboratory, specializing in new advances in rehabilitation know-how and wearable robotics for sufferers with mobility impairments.
Kyujin Cho from the BioRobotics Laboratory Seoul Nationwide College and Lou Awad from the Boston College Neuromotor Restoration Laboratory additionally introduced their work on wearable units and neuromotor restoration. Their analysis demonstrated the transformative potential of wearable robots in serving to people regain misplaced mobility and independence.
From Analysis to Commercialization: Actual-World Impression
The ultimate periods centered on startup applied sciences and the commercialization of robotics and assistive applied sciences. A notable success story was introduced by Paul Gudonis, CEO of Myomo, a pacesetter in medical rehabilitation robotics. Gudonis shared how Myomo’s progressive robotic units are serving to sufferers overcome higher limb impairment, offering hope and independence to people who had beforehand been unable to carry out on a regular basis duties.
A spotlight of the occasion was the Startups Showcase, the place 9 robotics startups had the chance to pitch their concepts and to the viewers. Every firm had 3 minutes to share how their know-how is contributing to the sphere of assistive and mobility tech. Startups included:
- Ready Innovation (led by Jay Singh), a robotic and automatic system operated by a single operator for affected person switch.
- ATDev (led by Todd Roberts), growing a robotic knee brace to help rehabilitation from wherever
- Ava Robotics (introduced by Marcio Macedo), which is designing robots to help with distant care.
- Cobionix (introduced by Matthew Sefati), Autonomous medical robots for healthcare suppliers
- REEV (introduced by Amaury Ciurana), REEV is making the primary good, patient-centric, motorized knee brace for post-stroke strolling help
- Tatum Robotics (Samantha Johnson, founder and CEO) devoted to empower the deafblind neighborhood with their first unbiased communication device
- Tombot (introduced by Tom Stevens) robotic pets for individuals who can not safely or virtually take care of their very own
- UnOrthoDOKS (led by Danish Shaikh) wearable robotic orthoses for knee rehabilitation
- Verve Movement (introduced by Brendan Quinlivan) an agile exosuit for a secure and productive workforce in movement
Trying Forward: Collaboration for Impression
Paul Loschak from Medtronic and sponsor of the occasion, wrapped up the session discussing the significance of company collaboration in driving innovation. Medtronic’s involvement within the occasion strengthened the necessity for trade leaders to work alongside startups, educational establishments, and healthcare suppliers to create sustainable options for ageing and mobility-impaired people.
Following the displays, attendees had the chance to community and discover startup demos, permitting them to see firsthand the startups applied sciences which can be shaping the way forward for healthcare and assistive tech.
A Step Towards the Way forward for Healthcare Innovation
The “Robotics in Age and Assistive Tech” occasion sparked conversations and collaborations throughout sectors. Because the inhabitants continues to age, the necessity for progressive robotics and AI-driven options will solely enhance. By bringing collectively healthcare suppliers, researchers, and tech innovators, MassRobotics, The Grid, and Harvard’s Transfer Lab are enjoying a pivotal position in shaping a future the place know-how empowers people with mobility challenges to stay fuller, extra unbiased lives.
For these concerned in ageing and assistive applied sciences, the occasion was a reminder of the ability of collaboration, innovation, and shared function in tackling the challenges that lie forward.
