Research areas and methodologies
The CREO Lab was born with the aim of designing, developing and validating robotic technologies and mechatronic systems for the health and well-being of the person with a view to also promoting their economic and environmental sustainability. The main research areas of the RU concern:
- Mechatronics for biomedical systems and life sciences: mechatronic and biomechatronic design methods and tools of robotic machines and systems for human health and well-being
- Person-centred advanced robotics: robotic systems for the well-being of the person with applications to medicine and agrifood
- Neuroingengineering and neurorobotics: bionic systems, neural interfaces and robotic platforms for neuroscience research
- Evaluation and management of biomedical technologies: Health Technology Assessment, Project Management, Management of Biomedical Research
The main areas of application include:
- Robotics for assistance and rehabilitation:
- Wearable robots and operating machines for neurorehabilitation and orthopedic rehabilitation
- Methods and Systems for Robot-Assisted Motor Therapy
- Feedback methods for robotic therapy
- Quantitative Functional Evaluation
- Technological aids for independent living and job reintegration
- Active and passive limb prostheses
- Adaptive and multimodal man-machine interfaces for movement therapy and technological aids - Surgical Robotics:
- Endoscopic robots
- Mechatronic instruments for urological applications
- Robot for spinal surgery
- Haptic interfaces
- Haptic feedback methods and tools
- Teleoperated control architectures - Robotics for agriculture
- Intelligent robots for the early and non-invasive evaluation of the stress state of the plant
- Robotic systems for targeted mechanical interventions and collection of products - Neuroingengineering and IngNeurodevelopmental engineering:
- Study and modeling of the sensory-motor system
- Study and modeling of pathologies of the nervous system
- Definition of tools and methods for the quantitative analysis of human behavior during neurodevelopment
- Study of neurodevelopmental alterations
- Neural interfaces for the control of robotic and bionic systems - Ergonomics assessment systems in occupational contexts
- assessment of the ergonomic and physiological impact of exoskeletal technologies for support in carrying out the work task - Robotics and monitoring systems for hostile environments
- Human-machine interfaces for teleoperated control of robots
- Systems for remote monitoring of physiological parameters and inspection/sanitization of environments at high risk for humans
The UR works in close collaboration with the Departmental Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and with the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, to conceive, develop and validate innovative solutions not only in the strictly clinical field but also for the promotion of a lifestyle healthy and active aging processes (healthy living and active ageing) which can contribute to a general improvement in the quality of life of citizens and to an increase in the efficiency of the resources of the country system. These solutions, developed on the basis of a person-centred design approach and human-machine interaction, are characterized by technologies with high safety, reliability, robustness and acceptability.
In the agrifood field, the RU has partnered with the Departmental Faculty of Science and Technology for Man and the Environment to conceive, develop and validate innovative solutions for precision agriculture in order to promote the eco-sustainability of the agrifood production system through the use of consolidated design and development methods in the biomedical field (but not only) that can also be effectively exploited in this sector.
Technological equipment
The Laboratory of Advanced Robotics and Person-Centered Technologies covers an area of approximately 100 m2 on floor -1 of the PRABB. It has a workshop equipped with the basic technological equipment for the development and electronic integration of robotic and mechatronic systems. And a series of instrumental and prototype equipment that has been enriched over the years. The main ones are listed below:
- Digital Manufacturing Technologiesing
- EinScan HX 3D scanner
- Ultimaker 3 printer, FDM technology
- Formlabs Fuse1 printer, SLS Technology
- Anisoprint A4 printer, CRF Technology - Robotic devices for rehabilitation and assistance
- Planar robotic devices for shoulder and elbow rehabilitation (CBM-Motus and ICONE)
- Biomechatronic hand for prosthetic use (IH2 Azzurra Prensilia, RoboLimb Ossur, Michelangelo Ottobock)
- Anthropomorphic robotic hand (DLR/HIT hand II)
- Exoskeleton for hand rehabilitation (Gloreha Sinfonia)
- Anthropomorphic arm (Kuka LightWeight Robot 4+)
- Mobile robotic platform for assistance and rehabilitation (Tiago robot)
- Exososkeletons for lower limb rehabilitation (Ekso GT, ReWalk, LENAR) - Robotic Devices for Surgery:
- Prototype capsule ingoiable with the ability to move in the intestinal tract
- Teleoperated system for minimally invasive surgery consisting of the Kuka robotic arm and the Novint Falcon haptic interface
- prototype of a robotic system for spinal surgery
- prototype of catheter for interventional cardiology - Systems for agriculture:
- Hyperspectral sensors for monitoring the state of health of the plant
- Anthropomorphic arm (Kuka LWR) and mobile robot (Tiago robot) for positioning sensors and mechanical interventions on plants - Sensors and systems for movement analysis:
- Sensorized objects for the biomechanical analysis of the grip
- Sensors for monitoring physiological parameters (XSENS magneto-inertial sensors, Trigno magneto-inertial and electromyographic sensors, sensors for monitoring cardiac, respiratory and electrodermal activity)
- Optoelectronic systems for biomechanical reconstruction (VICON and BTS SMART system)
- Interactive mechatronic board for analyzing the child's behavior
- Sensorized toys for children's neurodevelopment studies
- Suction monitoring devices
Collaborations with other Research Centers
- Sant'Anna High School of Pisa
- Ecole Polytechnique Federale Lausanne
- Delft University of Technology
- University of Twente
- National Research Council
- University of Aalborg
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Technische Universitaet München
- Miguel Hernández University
- Budapesti Muszaki Es Gazdasagtudomanyi Egyetem
- Uiverza V Ljubiani
- Stiftung FrankfurtInstitute for Advanced Studies
- University of Ulster
- Aberystwyth University
- University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland
- University of Pittsburgh
- INAIL Prosthesis Center in Vigorso di Budrio
- University of Freiburg
- Fraunhofer IBMT
- Nanyang Technological University, Singaffix
- Bruno Kessler Foundation - Trento
- New York University
- St. Lucia Foundation – Rome
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineersing, boston
- University of Cagliari
- Politecnico di Milano
- International School of advanced studies of Trieste
Patents
- Upper limb motor therapy device, D. Accoto, E. Cecchini, E. Guglielmelli, M. Orsini, F. Torchiani L. Zollo, ITA patent n°1388838 (owner: UCBM)
- haptic interface module, D. Accoto, E. Cecchini, E. Guglielmelli, ITA patent n° 1399399 (owner: UCBM)
- Device and method of locomotion particularly suitable for endoscopic applications, D. Accoto, S. Passanisi, ITA patent n°1397408, USA application 20130324796 (owner: UCBM)
- Device and method for controlled adhesion on wet substrate. D. Accoto, C. Esposito, MT Francomano, patent 0001409811, application EP2806817, USA application 20140353158, WO2013111076 (owner: UCBM)
- Robotic device for the assistance and rehabilitation of the lower limbsi. D. Accoto, G. Carpino, M. Di Palo, S. Galzerano, E. Guglielmelli, F. Sergi, NL Tagliamonte, IT1414072, EP2906172, WO2014057410, , BR1120150079733, CA2887671, CL895-2015, CN201380056480.7, IL 238211, MX/a/ 2015/004478, RU2015117490, SG11201502765W, KR 10-2015-7012174, USA 14/434124 (owner: UCBM)
- Device for mixing platelet-rich blood with a polymer solution, v Denaro, R. Papalia, G. Vadalà, D. Accoto, A. Sudano, application ITA RM2014000190 (owner: UCBM)
- Stretch exercise deviceing D. Accoto, G. Cargnello, F. de Angelis, E. Guglielmelli, ITA patent 0001404655 (owner: Ortopedia Italia srl)
- Constant force generator with adjustable intensity, D.Accoto, G. Carpino, N.Tagliamonte, A.Sudano, A.Alessi, application ITA RM2014A000017 (owner: Meccanica Biomedica srl)
- Device for sampling the ocular surface using imprinting, A. Micera, L. Zollo, B. Balzamino, I. Ghezzi, R. Sgrulletta , IT102015000008750 (owners: UCBM and GB Bietti Foundation)
