The University of Edinburgh and Japan Science & Technology (JST) Collaborative Moonshot Project
Monitoring and Intervention in Neural Degeneration
Wearable sensors enable us to monitor activities of daily living, and together with AI, allow us to detect neural degeneration early. In multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD), an early detection of the symptoms can lead to early treatment and improved quality of life.
In this project, in collaboration with Nagoya and Tokyo University in Japan and the Cajal Institute in Spain, we develop algorithms to monitor the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and treat some of the symptoms in people with MS and PD using wearable sensors, AI and functional electrical stimulation.
This project directly contributes to the Goal 3 of the Moonshot programme: Realisation of AI robots that autonomously learn, adapt to their environment, evolve in intelligence and act alongside human beings, by 2050.
Project Collaboration Timeline: First Phase (June 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025)
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Moonshot: Addressing Neural Degeneration Project Team (front) Sethu Vijayakumar, Don Mahad, Andreas Christou (back) Suzanne Perry, Maithili Vijayakumar, Georgia Andreopoulou, Elliot Lister, Andreas Sochopoulos
Women in Computing @ St George's School, Edinburgh, UK
December 11, 2024
Contribution Type: Outreach and Demonstrations
The Women in Computing event at St George's School (Edinburgh, UK) was an inspiring initiative to spark curiosity and encourage women to explore careers in STEM. The event aimed to highlight the exciting possibilities in technology, engineering, robotics, and computing through interactive talks, engaging panel discussions, and hands-on demonstrations. Our team was proud to participate, engaging with young students in order to provide career advice and role models that will inspire the next generation and awaken their interest in computing.
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Invited Talk and Moonshot Meeting @ ICNR 2024, La Granja, Spain
November 5, 2024
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Contribution Type: Symposium and Presentations
A conversation about the integration of robotics and functional electrical stimulation in gait rehabilitation with world-leading experts. We presented our adaptive hybrid robot-FES controller and discussed the challenges and promises of hybrid interventions in neurorehabilitation. Members of the Moonshot project from Edinburgh University (UK), Nagoya University (Japan) and the Centre for Automation and Robotics (Spain) proceeded with a meeting to examine the interface and usability of the novel sensorized shoes, Shokac Shoes (Touchence Inc.), to be used as a tool for detecting and monitoring neurodegeneration.
Invited Talk @ BioRob 2024, Heidelberg
September 1, 2024
Contribution Type: Invited Talk
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The hybridisation of robot-assisted gait training and functional electrical stimulation (FES) can provide numerous physiological benefits to neurological patients. However, the design of an effective hybrid controller poses significant challenges. In this over-actuated system, it is extremely difficult to find the right balance between robotic assistance and FES that will provide personalised assistance, prevent muscle fatigue and encourage the patient’s active participation in order to accelerate recovery. In this work, we present an adaptive hybrid robot-FES controller to do this and enable the triadic collaboration between the patient, the robot and FES. A patient-driven controller is designed where the voluntary movement of the patient is prioritised and assistance is provided using FES and the robot in a hierarchical order depending on the patient’s performance and their muscles’ fitness.
Andreas Christou, Antonio J. del-Ama, Juan C. Moreno and Sethu Vijayakumar, Adaptive Control for Triadic Human-Robot-FES Collaboration in Gait Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study, Proc. IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2024), Yokohama, Japan (2024). [pdf] [video] [citation]
First Steps @ Bayes Centre, Edinburgh
August 1, 2024
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News: Data Collection Phase
Motion capture and gait analysis are advanced techniques used to study human movement, and particularly the way people walk, or their "gait." We have now begun collecting data from healthy participants walking under various conditions on a treadmill to better understand and characterise gait. To carry out this research, we use the gold-standard in motion capture, including a marker-based system with high-precision cameras and an instrumented treadmill capable of recording ground reaction forces.
AI in Healthcare Workshop @ Informatics, Edinburgh
May 30, 2024
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Contribution Type: Seminar and Live Demonstrations
AI and embodied robotics solutions are playing an increasingly significant role in addressing some of the most pressing grand challenges in healthcare and assisted living in our society. For successful, safe and effective deployment of these fast-changing technologies, it is important that we work closely and collaboratively with different stakeholders.
In this workshop, we bring together end-users in care homes, hospitals and rehabilitation centres; world-leading researchers from academia including European and international consortia; startup companies and established industry players in this space; as well as policymakers and researchers who look at the ethics and governance structures that inform deployment strategies.
