Workshop to explore rise of robotics in improving human health

Robotics technology is fast becoming more prevalent in health care and medical treatment. The potential for advances in the field to improve the quality of life will be explored as experts gather Feb. 22 and 23 in Tempe for the Piper Health Solutions Workshop on Rehabilitation Robotics.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is hosted by the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, one of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University.

Workshop presenters will focus on “the roadmap for medical and health care robotics and the challenges of rehabilitation robotics for the next decade,” says Panagiotis Artemiadis, an ASU assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Artemiadis is one of several ASU faculty members leading robotics research. He directs the Human-Oriented Robotics and Control Laboratory, which is working on the use of robots for therapeutic devices designed for retraining and/or augmenting of human motor skills.

“We investigate the control interfaces between humans and robots, and the control of physical interaction between humans and robots, to help enable the seamless integration of robots into our everyday life,” he explains.

In his Neural Control of Movement Laboratory, biomedical engineering professor Marco Santello, director of the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, studies how the brain controls complex movements to extract control features that can be used to improve human-robot interactions and rehabilitation devices.

The Biomechatronics Lab, directed by Veronica J. Santos, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, is employing robotics technology to improve artificial hands via bio-inspired tactile sensors and control strategies.

Workshop reports will cover the current state-of-the-art technology in these areas, as well as open discussions about strategies and goals for achieving further advances.

The event is supported by a Piper Health Solutions grant, provided through a strategic investment fund established by the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust to enable ASU to pursue improvement in all aspects of health care delivery.

There is no fee to attend the workshop, but registration is required by Feb. 15. Click here for a registration form. The workshop will be at the Fiesta Resort Conference Center, 2100 South Priest Dr., Tempe. For more information, visit the workshop website.