91�Թ� computer scientist develops programming for effective prosthetics and agile robots

ullahnor — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 18:23:42 +0000

ullahnor Mon, 07/31/2017 - 14:23

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A U.S. veteran tries out a prosthetic arm. A computer scientist from 91�Թ� as well as researchers from MIT and Adobe have developed computational methods for improved prosthetic body parts (Photo by Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

Nina Haikara

Author legacy

Nina Haikara

Topic

Breaking Research

Robots

prosthetics

Computer Science

Scientists designing agile robots and efficient prosthetics can soon expect a new tool in their toolbox.

A 91�Թ� computer scientist, researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Adobe Research have developed a set of computational methods that will help automate the design of mechanisms that propel movement.

“The goal is to bring the physical rules of virtual reality much closer to those of actual reality,” says David I. W. Levin, an assistant professor and researcher in the Dynamic Graphics Project lab at 91�Թ�’s department of computer science.

Levin researches computational physics, a field which develops methods for a wide range of applications from biomechanical models of muscle to mechanical analysis of 3D printed objects.

“Computers are great at designing things, but they need to be able to predict the real-world behaviour of whatever it is they are designing,” says Levin. “That’s where computer simulation comes in.”

The researchers will present methods such as Dynamics-Aware Coarsening (DAC), which speeds-up simulations, and Boundary Balanced Impact (BBI), which models the impact behaviour of flexible objects. Together, these two methods simulate objects performing real-world flips, throws and jumps at rates 70 times faster than current state-of-the-art methods, while simultaneously improving the accuracy of such computer simulations.

Levin and lead author, MIT PhD student Desai Chen, as well as MIT Professor Wojciech Matusik and Adobe researcher Danny M. Kaufman will present their study this week at the world's largest conference and exhibition in computer graphics and interactive techniques.

Prior to joining 91�Թ�, Levin was an associate research scientist at Disney Research, which takes computer graphics and animation outside of the studio, applying it to a real-world problem.

“Dynamics is crucial for understanding how humans and animals move and for building everything from better car tires to more efficient prosthetics,” he says. “That’s what is so exciting about DAC and BBI – they give us a new, powerful, broadly applicable computational tool.”

The work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Levin's research has also received funding from the Connaught New Researcher Award.

Undergrads, professors collaborate to develop state-of-the-art leg brace for student with cerebral palsy

sgupta — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 15:51:10 +0000

Undergrads, professors collaborate to develop state-of-the-art leg brace for student with cerebral palsy sgupta Thu, 08/27/2015 - 11:51

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Engineering students Shakthi Seerala, Lakmini Perera, Kayatri Rangarajan and Elizabeth Sumitro, with Tom Garsides (photo by Marit Mitchell)

Kathleen O'Brien

Cooper Long

Author legacy

Kathleen O'Brien and Cooper Long

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Back to School

Subheadline

iSchool, Engineering, Kinesiology & Physical Education work together to enhance student's mobility

Robotic exoskeletons have long been a staple of science fiction.

Now, Master of Information student Thomas Garside has collaborated with iSchool Professor Matt Ratto and a team of Engineering students and motion specialists from the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education to make such a device a reality.

A full-time student concentrating on critical information policy studies and knowledge management, Garside has limited mobility because of cerebral palsy. Normally he gets around with a cane, wheelchair or motorized scooter.

When he arrived at 91�Թ�, he knew that more advanced mobility aids were under development – and that their price put them out of reach.

Garside was also familiar with Ratto’s work as director of the iSchool’s Critical Making Lab, and in particular his application of 3D printer technology to the problem of producing prosthetic sockets and limbs for Ugandan children.

“Even before being accepted into the iSchool I was impressed by the work he had done,” Garside says.

The student decided to approach his professor of only two months about the possibility of creating a powered assistive device to help him, and others with mobility challenges, walk better.

After consulting iSchool Dean Seamus Ross, they enlisted final-year engineering students Shakthi Seerala, Lakmini Perera, Kayatri Rangarajan and Elizabeth Sumitro to work on the electrical controls and sensor systems necessary for a mechanized leg brace.

The circle of collaborators continued to widen: Garside sought out the expertise of Professors Luc Tremblay and Tyson Beach, sensorimotor control and biomechanics specialists from the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education. Using state-of-the-art 3D motion-capture and force-measurement systems, Beach analyzed Garside’s gait.

Meanwhile, the Tetra Design Group charity connected Garside with a volunteer who was able to fabricate the mechanical components of the brace. Using off-the-shelf radio-controlled motors, the Engineering team finished a functioning prototype at a cost of only $1,000.

Last spring Garside got to strap on the result of all this multi-disciplinary hard work. The prototype works by measuring the pressure exerted by the foot, detecting what part of the stride cycle he is performing and helping him flex his leg to complete the appropriate movement.

“I have been amazed by the quality of the brace,” Garside says. “And I have been delighted to see how well the Master of Information program can help in the development of physical devices. The training I’ve received on design from faculty like Colin Furness has really been well applied to hardware.”

Apart from enhancing his mobility, the project has given Garside useful experience in project management.

The next steps are to work with Engineering and Tetra to improve the brace’s control system and look at different structural materials. Then, create a brace for his left leg.

The results of this collaboration could have worldwide impact.

“Besides the enhancement of the prototype,” Garside says, “we’re all excited to continue to show the world that exoskeleton technologies are now mainstream technologies capable of solving issues of mobility for the disabled and elderly.”

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