Strategic Research Program Exercise and the Brain in Health & Disease: The Added Value of Human-Centered Robotics
Members
- Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy (MFYS): Kevin De Pauw, Bart Roelands
- Robotics & MultiBody Mechanics Research Group (R&MM): Bram Vanderborght, Tom Verstraten, Greet Van de Perre
Main topics
- Exoskeletons
- Prostheses
- Cobots
- Brain-computer interface (BCI)
- Human-in-the-loop control (HILO)
- Projects, services to third parties (DAD), initiatives and laboratories
Background
The SRP17 is a unique strategic Research Program combining fundamental and strategic research towards application driven research to valorisation, rehabilitation and industry. One of the key terms is human-robot interaction, where a human-centered design is essential and is achieved through the extensive collaboration between robotics engineers and human movement scientists. The main research focus is set at powered prosthetics for individuals with a lower-extremity amputation, industrial back and shoulder exoskeletons, industrial cobots, multi-agent teams, brain-computer interface applications and human-in-the-loop control systems.
The iterative process of redesigning prototypes towards market-proof products involves thorough validation and evaluation processes in which physical effort and cognitive load are investigated in terms of biomechanical, physiological, social and subjective measures. Movement scientists gather, analyse and interpret these data in close collaboration with engineers, who focus on the development and validation of the robotics devices in terms of robustness and functionality using mechatronic test benches, and integrate the findings put forward by the movements scientists.
Human-centered robotics is only achieved if mechatronics is being customized. This customization is achieved through the process of bringing electro-physiological measures coming from the brain (brain-computer interface) and periphery (human-in-the-loop optimisation strategies) into the loop with the robotics device.
Besides product customization different valorisation strategies and benchmarking activities are key to allow effective and large-scale adoption by end-users. Both patients and healthy individuals are being targeted and the main goal is to improve the quality of life of all individuals. Injury prevention and the prevention of physical and/or mental fatigue are targeted in sports, industrial and rehabilitation settings. The wide range of research activities, robotics modules and target groups emphasize the importance of this program for society and economy.
More information: Kevin.De.Pauw@vub.be
Most important scientific peer-reviewed output
- Elprama AS, Vannieuwenhuyze J, De Bock S, Vanderborght B, De Pauw K, Meeusen R, Jacobs A. What determines industrial workers’ intention to use exoskeletons? Human Factors 2020; 62(3): 337-350.
- Tassignon B, Verschueren J, De Pauw K, Roelands B, Van Cutsem J, Verhagen E, Meeusen R. Mental fatigue impairs clinician-friendly balance performance and brain activity. Translational Sports Medicine 2020; 6(3): 616-625.
- Tassignon B, Verschueren J, De Pauw K, Verhagen E, Meeusen R. Acute physical fatigue alters brain activity and impairs reactive balance test performance. Translational Sports Medicine 2021; 4(4): 488-499.
- Proost M, Habay J, De Wachter J, De Pauw K, Rattray B, Meeusen R, Roelands B, Van Cutsem J. How to tacke mental fatigue: A systematic review on potential countermeasures and their underlying mechanisms. Sports Medicine 2022.
- De Bock S, Ampe T, Rossini M, Tassignon B, Lefeber D, Guerrero CR, Roelands B, Geeroms J, Meeusen R, De Pauw K. Passive shoulder exoskeleton partially mitigates fatigue-induced effects in overhead work. Applied Ergonomics 2022.
- Diaz MA, Voss M, Dillen A, Tassignon B, Flynn L, Geeroms J, Meeusen R, Verstraten T, Babic J, Beckerle P, De Pauw K. Human-in-the-loop optimization of assistive robotics devices to improve human robot interaction: A systematic review. IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics 2022.
- Lathouwers E, Dillen A, Diaz MA, Tassignon B, Verschueren J, Verté D, De Witte N, De Pauw K. Characterizing fall risk factors in Belgian older adults: A data-drive approach. Journal BMC Public Health 2022.
- Maricot A, Dick E, Walravens A, Pluym B, Lathouwers E, De Pauw K, Verschueren J, Roelands B, Meeusen R, Tassignon B. Brain neuroplasticity related to ligamentous ankle injuries: A systematic review. Sports Medicine 2023.
- Maricot A, Lathouwers E, Verschueren J, De Pauw K, Meeusen R, Roelands B, Tassignon B. Test-retest, intra- and inter-rater reliability of the reactive balance test in patients with chronic ankle instability. Submitted to Frontiers 2024.
- Lathouwers E, Diaz MA, Maricot A, Tassignon B, Cherelle C, Cherelle P, Meeusen R, De Pauw K. Therapeutic benefits of lower limb prostheses: A systematic review. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2023.
- Lathouwers E, Baeyens J-P, Tassignon B, Cherelle P, Meeusen R, De Pauw K. Coordination patterns of walking with an articulated passive ankle-foot prosthesis: An explorative case-control study. BioMedical Engineering OnLine 2023.
- Govaerts R, De Bock S, Stas L, El Makrini I, Habay J, Van Cutsem J, Roelands B, Vanderborght B, Meeusen R, De Pauw K. Work performance in industry: The impact of mental fatigue and a back exoskeleton on work efficiency. Applied Ergonomics 2023.
- Govaerts R, De Bock S, Provyn S, Vanderborght B, Roelands B, Meeusen R, De Pauw K. The impact of an active and passive industrial back exoskeleton on functional performance. Ergonomics 2023.
- Govaerts R, Turcksin T, Vanderborght B, Roelands B, Meeusen R, De Pauw K, De Bock S. Evaluating cognitive and physical work performance: A comparative study of an active and passive industrial back exoskeleton. Wearable Technologies 2023
- Habay J, Uylenbroeck R, Van Droogenbroeck R, De Wachter J, Proost M, Tassignon B, De Pauw K, Meeusen R, Pattyn N, Van Cutsem J, Roelands B. Interindividual variability in mental fatigue-related impairments in endurance performance: A systematic review and multiple meta-regression. Sports Medicine - Open 2023.; 9: 14.
- Dillen A, Fakhreddine G, Romain O, Marusic U, Grospretre S, Vanderborght B, Nowé A, Meeusen R, De Pauw K. Optimal sensor set for decoding motor imagery from EEG. Applied Sciences 2023.
- Elprama S, De Bock S, Meeusen R, De Pauw K, Vanderborght B, Jacobs A. Design and implementation requirements for increased acceptance of occupational exoskeletons in an industrial context: A qualitative study. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction 2023.