Today, while the demand for ‘soft robotic’ technology continues to increase day by day, scientists continue to develop this technology. Finally, scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have made a breakthrough in rehabilitation technologies.
Scientists from the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at MIT have developed a new technology they call ‘PneuAct’. Scientists have succeeded in adding soft air pressure stimuli to a knit that, in their own words, is ‘no different than your grandmother’s knitting’. Emerging technology has become a candidate to be the gateway to new possibilities in many fields, not just rehabilitation.
The device that you can make it feel and grasp wherever you want:
This revolutionary little technology responds to haptic stimuli. It includes a stitch that gives space. The stitching on the device allows customization of where to inflate with air pressure and where to receive tactile notification. Thus, both physical supporting devices for those in need and self-moving robots emerge.
The device offers flexibility to the user through a software and the possibility to adjust settings such as from which seam area the touch will be detected. In addition, the areas to be inflated by contact are also specially selected. After all these settings are made, the yellow weave outside the device is produced by machines. All that remains is to insert the braid into the soft plastic that will inflate with air pressure and turn the device on.
Some usage areas of technology were shown as follows:
- Rehabilitation devices that can be used to provide physical support to people.
- Self-walking robots
- For those with hand injuries grip support.