Wearables

Researchers from the NIH Clinical Center Rehabilitation Medicine Department have created the first robotic exoskeleton specifically designed to treat crouch (or flexed-knee) gait in children with cerebral palsy by providing powered knee extension assistance at key points during the walking cycle. Crouch gait, the excessive bending of the knees while walking, is a common and debilitating condition in children with cerebral palsy.

Compiled after three years of dedicated and ongoing research by expert analysts, the IDTechEx Research report Wearable Technology 2017-2027: Markets, Players, Forecasts details IDTechEx's coverage of the wearable technology ecosystem. The report looks at the industry from many different perspectives, with detailed discussion framing core primary research and market forecasting.

When Joe’s heart-rate monitor kept falling off, he asked his doctor, “Isn’t there a better way to make it stick?” Thanks to 3M, there is. The company that makes everything from Post-it® Notes to structural adhesives that hold airplanes together, also makes advanced medical adhesives that can hold for up to two weeks. When considering adhesive science and the challenges of a substrate like skin, design engineers kn...

With more and more applications requiring high accuracy atmospheric pressure data, engineers are seeking ever more sensitive pressure sensing methods. New sensor technologies that are based on capacitive sensing enable engineers to create miniaturised and very accurate devices while satisfying demanding energy constraints and addressing reliability challenges. By Sampo Härkönen, Senior Manager Pressure Sensor Marketing, Infineon Techno...

Bionik Laboratories has announced it has integrated Amazon's Echo technology and Alexa Voice Service into its ARKE lower body exoskeleton. The ARKE exoskeleton utilises Bionik's proprietary transmission and actuation system, making it one of the most powerful robotic devices compared to similar systems. It will now include device control, utilising multiple sensors located throughout the device in combination with Alexa.

It is clear over the past few years that wearable devices have moved forward and are continuing to do so. From their early role as novelty gadgets and sports accessories to become more powerful and generally more useful, who knows what is next. Guest blog by Mark Patrick, Mouser Electronics.

  Dehydration is one of the most common causes of death among young children in the developing world – particularly during the hot summer months. ETH Professor Walter Karlen and his team of researchers have developed an inexpensive mobile device that could be used by laypeople to more effectively treat dehydration.

TV infomercials offer a world of potential solutions for back pain, but most of them have at least one of three problems — they’re unproven, unworkable or just plain unattractive. A team of Vanderbilt University engineers is changing that with a design that combines the science of biomechanics and advances in wearable tech to create a smart, mechanised undergarment. Their device gets its U.S. debut Aug. 8-11 at an American Societ...

University of Houston researchers in the Department of Health and Human Performance are helping patients with Parkinson's disease regain stable balance and confidence in performing daily activities in their own homes. A research team is developing the Smarter Balance System (SBS), a smartphone-based biofeedback rehabilitation system that guides patients through a series of balance exercises using wearable technology.

To help stroke patients regain their walking abilities, various robotics groups from industry and academia are developing powered wearable devices - so-called exoskeletons - that can restore gait functions or assist with rehabilitation. Historically, these systems restricted patients to a treadmill in a clinical setting, but in recent years portable systems have been developed that enable walking overground.