An AI-based robotic glove could soon help people recover muscle grip in their hands after it got the support of the Edinburgh Business School’s (EBS) Incubator, based at Heriot-Watt University.
An engineering graduate aspires to help millions of people after creating a robotic glove enabled by artificial intelligence to enhance muscle grip.
He was inspired to engage in the startup after seeing his aunt struggle with daily activities such as drinking water or changing TV channels after her loss of movement due to several sclerosis led Ross O’Hanlon, 24, to produce the device.
The device detects the user’s intention to grip an object employing electromyography (EMG) to assess electrical activity in response to a nerve’s stimulation of the muscle.
Then it makes use of an algorithm that transforms the intention to force which helps the user hold an item or apply the necessary pressure to accomplish a task.
It is anticipated that the new technology will help in accomplishing series of daily activities like driving, making tea, and opening jars.
The glove is the first product from BioLiberty, a Scottish start-up co-founded by Mr. O’Hanlon and three other engineering graduates.
The device aims at helping the 2.5 million people in the UK suffering from hand weakness-related illnesses such as motor neurone disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and multiple sclerosis as well as people with age-induced muscle mass.
The co-founder, Mr. O’Hanlon, said: “Being an engineer, I decided to use technology to tackle these challenges head-on to help people like my aunt to retain their autonomy.”
“As well as those affected by illness, the population continues to age, and this places increasing pressure on care services. We wanted to support independent living and healthy aging by enabling individuals to live more comfortably in their own homes for longer.”
“While there are many gadgets on the market that address a specific grip challenge such as tools to help open jars, I wanted an all-encompassing solution to support a range of daily tasks.”
He added that the team has developed a working prototype and has gained the backing from Edinburgh Business School’s Incubator, at Heriot-Watt University which he stated is a “huge boost”.
The team has been working from home in Belfast, Edinburgh, and London due to the pandemic, however, they plan to go back to the Business School immediately after pandemic restrictions are lifted.
Mr. O’Hanlon added that the team is confident that the backing they have will assist in hastening the glove into homes faster.
“The Edinburgh Business School Incubator has an incredible program for early-stage businesses like ours, supporting challenges all new companies face including the drive for additional funding, marketing, networking, scaling, and forging collaborations.”
The incubator manager of Edinburgh Business School, Kallum Russell, said the program will help promote the development by providing mentoring, networking events, speaker opportunities, and virtual seminars.
Kallum Russell said, as the pandemic continues to deteriorate the economy, accessing support services for business owners has become difficult.
Therefore, incubators like that of the Edinburgh Business School are more valuable to support the development of innovative new products and services which will assist in driving economic growth and recovery.
