Wearable robotics & human cooperation

IUVO participated in a study published in Science Robotics, presenting the results of the EU-funded Horizon 2020 project CONBOTS (CONnected through roBOTS).

The study explores how wearable robotics can mediate physical interaction between people to improve coordination in collaborative tasks.

The research involved an international consortium including Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, IUVO, CNR, Newcastle University and Ghent University.

In the experiment, pairs of violinists performed together while wearing upper-limb exoskeletons designed to create a physical connection between them. By transmitting haptic feedback (forces and tactile cues generated by the movements of the partner), the system enabled the musicians to physically perceive each other’s motion.

The results show that this form of physical interaction can significantly improve motor coordination during collaborative activities.

Within the project, IUVO contributed to the development of key robotic components of the exoskeleton system, including the shoulder module and the physical human-robot interface used in the experiments. In particular, for the shoulder module, IUVO developed the robotic kinematic structure, a miniaturized series-elastic actuator for the motorized joint, and a spring-loaded mechanism providing antigravitational support.

Beyond the experimental setting, the study highlights the potential of wearable robotics as a new channel of interaction between people, opening perspectives for applications such as advanced haptic telecooperation, collaborative training and motor assistance.

Click here for the full article (requires registration)