Model-based approach in developing a hand exoskeleton for children: A preliminary study

Abstract

Developing wearable robotic systems for children’s hand rehabilitation highlights several issues during the design phase due to the difficult interactions with the patients and the high adaptability these devices require to fit fingers always growing. In this research work, the authors propose a model-based approach which exploits only a photograph of the hand to automatically generate a tailor-made device capable of replicating hand trajectories. A real device has been developed and tested on a patient after three growing steps in order to assess its kinematic compliance with fingers.