IntelliMan Project

IntelliMan at the ERF2025! IntelliMan is?co-organizing three workshops entitled "Mobile manipulation of rigid and deformable objects: Community challenges and opportunities", "Perceiving unknown and deformable objects in logistics and service robotics"?and “Advancing AI-Powered Robotic Cognition, Deliberation and Learning for Real-World Applications” (https://lnkd.in/ezpt2Ntm) at the?European Robotics Forum in Stuttgart (25-27 March)! IntelliMan project results will also be presented in these workshops.? IntelliMan will also feature an exhibition booth at stand 92, level 1 of the exhibition hall. Joining industry, academia and policy makers, ERF2025 has a very exciting programme and we are looking forward to meeting you. #ERF2025

Robots are getting smarter, but what about their sense of touch? Electronic skins give robots sensory abilities, yet they often lack one key feature: versatile adhesion, the ability to switch between gripping delicate objects and lifting heavy loads. The study "Versatile Adhesive Skin Enhances Robotic Interactions with the Environment" introduces a game-changing solution: a smart adhesive skin made from shape memory polymers. This technology allows robots to dynamically adjust their grip strength, from barely touching an object (~1 kilopascal) to securely holding heavy loads (>1 megapascal). ?? Why does this matter? - Robots can handle ultralight and fragile items with precision. - They can also lift and transport heavy objects without needing specialized grippers. - This adaptability brings us closer to more intelligent, dexterous robotic systems. From industrial automation to prosthetic applications, robotic skins that respond like human skin could redefine how machines interact with the world. What other possibilities do you see for this innovation? ?? Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/d_CP3b-8 #robotics #electronicskin #innovation #softrobotics #biomimicry #assistivetechnology #prosthetics #haptics #biomedicalengineering #smartmaterials #robotictouch #humanmachineinteraction #futureofrobotics #roboticgrippers #aiandrobotics #automation #bionics #materialscience #engineering #adaptivecontrol #scienceandtech

Rehabilitation robots have long helped individuals recover motor function after neurological or traumatic injuries. However, traditional rigid systems have limitations, including safety concerns, a lack of adaptability, and difficulty integrating into daily life. This study, "Soft Robotics in Upper Limb Neurorehabilitation and Assistance: Current Clinical Evidence and Recommendations," explores how soft robotics could change that. Unlike conventional devices, these systems use flexible materials to make rehabilitation safer, more comfortable, and more natural. With insights from 37 clinical studies on 13 different devices, the research evaluates both feasibility and real-world impact. Can softness really bridge the gap between robotic assistance and human movement? The findings suggest that soft robotics holds promise, but its success will depend on how well it meets user needs—not just in labs and clinics but in everyday life. The challenge now is clear: turning innovative concepts into practical, accessible solutions. Could soft robotics be the breakthrough that brings neurorehabilitation closer to the people who need it most? ?? Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/dhM4q2vq #softrobotics #rehabilitation #assistivetechnology #prosthetics #neuroscience #biomedicalengineering #robotics #humanmachineinteraction #upperlimbrehabilitation #neurorehabilitation #innovation #medicaldevices #humancentereddesign #rehabilitationengineering #assistivedevices #adaptivetechnology #futureofhealthcare #biomechanics #aiandhealthcare #engineeringforgood

Robotic manipulation of objects in cluttered dynamic scenes is challenging due to potential collisions that could make the grasp unfeasible. In our work, we propose a non-prehensile pushing strategy that can move planar objects of generic shape along a given path with an assigned time law. The control algorithm is a nonlinear model predictive controller (NMPC) based on the continuous and nonlinear dynamics of the system. ? To know more, please follow the link to the article recently published in the IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, the related video, and the #IntelliManProject. ? Article: https://lnkd.in/diSUEeWr Video: https://lnkd.in/dVT_8eRz Intelliman Project: https://lnkd.in/ddDSMRur #RoboticGrasping #NonlinearModelPredictiveController #IEEERoboticsAndAutomationLetters

?? Can a robot learn how to grasp an object using tactile information? We analyze different metrics to evaluate the goodness of the grasp, and exploit Bayesian optimization to actively learn grasping of unknown objects while considering noise and uncertainty inherent to a real-world environment. To know more in detail, stay tuned and follow the IntelliMan project. ? ?? IntelliMan project website: https://lnkd.in/ddDSMRur ? Hashtags #roboticgrasping #graspplanning #bayesianoptimization #AI #research #assistiverobotics #logistics

Who hasn’t imagined being ?????????????????? ????????????, with all his incredible tools at hand, ready to tackle any situation? Now, what if prosthetic hands followed the same logic—not imitating the human hand, but adapting to specific tasks with modular, optimized designs? Myoelectric prosthetic hands have struggled with functionality for decades, leading many users to abandon them. The problem is that the field has largely focused on replicating the human hand’s form and function despite the limitations of current control and sensing technologies. The study "Beyond Humanoid Prosthetic Hands: Modular Terminal Devices That Improve User Performance" by Digby Chappell challenges this approach. Instead of insisting on anthropomorphic designs, the research explores task-specific, modular terminal devices that dramatically improve real-world performance. ?? Four non-humanoid devices were developed and tested, enabling users to: - Perform a flicking motion. - Twist a screwdriver. - Pick and place flat objects. - Cut paper. ?? The results? Compared to a traditional humanoid prosthesis, these modular devices significantly enhanced task performance reduced the effort needed to compensate for movement and lowered cognitive load. Case studies with end users reinforced the practical impact of this approach. ?? The real question is: can a non-humanoid prosthesis still feel like part of the user’s body? If embodiment is about function rather than form, maybe the future of prosthetics isn't about looking human—but about feeling capable. ?? Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/dY_e8Kzm #prosthetics #innovation #humanaugmentation #modulardesign #biomedicalengineering #prostheticresearch #assistivetechnology #bionics #robotics #functionaldesign #engineeringforgood #taskoptimization #futureofprosthetics #myoelectric #humancentereddesign #rehabilitation #aiandhealthcare #userexperience #prosthetictechnology #engineering

?? Intelliman at the "Future Ready" Workshop on Human-Centered AI & Robotics ?? We are pleased to announce that the Intelliman project will be participating in the AI, Data & Robotics at Work workshop, focusing on Human-Centered AI and Robotics, at the Future Ready On-Demand Solutions with AI, Data and Robotics event in Brussels, Belgium, on February 18th. At this event, Roberto Meattini will present the advancements of Intelliman in advanced robotic services, manufacturing, and prosthetics. The workshop brings together key European projects to explore reliability, usability, inclusivity, and ergonomics in human-robot collaboration. ?? Event Highlights: ? Showcasing results & methodologies of cutting-edge projects ? Discussing challenges & best practices in AI-driven robotics ? Exploring future collaboration opportunities We look forward to engaging discussions and knowledge exchange with fellow projects and experts in the field. #AI #Robotics #HumanCenteredAI #FutureReady #HorizonEurope #Intelliman

Our brain seamlessly merges sensory inputs to create a unified perception, especially when stimuli originate from the same location. But what happens when the body itself changes? The study "Amputees but not Healthy Subjects Optimally Integrate Non-Spatially Matched Visuo-Tactile Stimuli" challenges conventional thinking about sensory integration. Using a VR-based electro-stimulating platform, researchers explored how amputees and non-amputees process visuo-tactile cues. The key finding? Unlike healthy individuals—who integrate sensory inputs only when they match spatially—amputees optimally merge visual and tactile stimuli even when they come from different locations (e.g., a tactile cue at the stump and a visual cue under the virtual foot). This unique adaptation was also linked to faster reaction times and lower cognitive effort, as shown by EEG-based mental workload reduction. Why does this matter? These insights reveal how the brain reorganizes after limb loss, reshaping multisensory integration. Understanding this phenomenon could open new pathways for designing more intuitive and immersive prosthetic feedback systems, bringing us closer to truly integrated bionic solutions. ?? Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/d7aH9pZr #neuroscience #prosthetics #brainplasticity #multisensoryintegration #amputation #cognitiveneuroscience #virtualreality #hapticfeedback #assistivetechnology #innovation #biomedicalengineering #tactileperception #neuraladaptation #prostheticresearch #humanbrain #futureofhealthcare #bionics #rehabilitation

Designing bionic limbs that look and move like biological ones has long been a goal in prosthetics. The assumption? That biomimetic control—making the prosthetic move like a real hand—makes the device feel more natural, easier to learn, and more automatic. But what if things are more complex than that? The study "Biomimetic versus Arbitrary Motor Control Strategies for Bionic Hand Skill Learning" authored by Hunter Schone et al.?explores this question by comparing two control strategies: - Biomimetic control, where users mimic the bionic hand’s gesture with their biological hand. - Arbitrary control, where users map unrelated gestures to control the bionic hand. Both strategies improved control, reduced cognitive effort, and increased the sense of ownership over the prosthesis. Biomimetic users had faster and more intuitive control at the start. But here’s the twist—users trained with arbitrary control eventually matched biomimetic users and showed better generalization to new tasks. So, what’s the takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the user's needs and training opportunities, the best approach may lie somewhere between biomimetic and arbitrary control. It’s a shift in perspective that reminds us that human variability should be at the core of prosthetic design. ?? Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/dgCPNz7m #prosthetics #bionichand #motorcontrol #biomimetic #embodiment #assistivetechnology #myoelectric #machinelearning #userexperience #neuroscience #rehabilitation #innovation #biomedicalengineering #robotics #prostheticresearch #humanvariability #flexiblestrategies #futureofprosthetics

"At just twenty years old, I was in the position of continuing the family business, but with one key difference: I was deeply passionate about creating active, not passive, prosthetics. I wanted something alive, not inert—something that could truly humanize the prosthetic experience." Hannes Schmidl, father of modern prosthetics (1932-1996) #prosthetics #innovation #assistivetechnology #healthcare #paraplegia #activeprosthetics #humanization #medicalengineering #technologyforgood #bionics #futureofmedicine #prostheticdesign #rehabilitation #inclusiveinnovation #humancentereddesign #medicaldevices #biomedicalengineering #mobilitysolutions #aiandhealthcare #neuroscience #centroprotesiinail