Enable

Project objectives

Man has always tried to improve his skills with tools, lenses, vehicles and pliers. Today, thanks to the innovation of science and technology, it is necessary to reconsider the human-instrument interaction from the point of view of "augmentation": using artificial devices to obtain abilities superior to those of a healthy subject.

The human brain can expand motor control to additional robotic limbs (Supernumerary Robotic Limbs), receive information from external auxiliary sensors and plastically insert them into its body representation (embodiment). In addition to dangerous jobs, Supernumerary Robotic Limbs could help with many complex tasks (e.g. surgery).

ENABLE represents a paradigm shift: developing robotic limbs that are embodizable and not just skilled. This never-before-seen revolution is possible only by combining cognitive neuroscience, neurophysiology and robotics. ENABLE reveals how the brain controls limbs and tools, how the plasticity of augmentation expands self-perception, and new therapeutic strategies to improve phantom limb pain as well as other conditions with pathological body perception. The embodiment of a Supernumerary Robotic Limb could also induce a sense of protection for the artificial limb. Finally, the results of ENABLE on augmentation can be easily translated to systems for functional replacement in disabled patients.

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ENABLE