AI-Powered “Smart Glove” Makes a Quantum Leap in Stroke Rehabilitation
Stroke survivors in British Columbia will test a new “smart glove” with sensor yarns & AI, aiming to revolutionize rehab & restore limb function. This wireless marvel tracks movements with 99% accuracy, also paving the way for future VR & healthcare applications.
By Richard Cole · January 16, 2024
A group of stroke survivors in British Columbia will be the first to test a cutting-edge “smart glove,” set to revolutionize the recovery process by aiding their rehabilitation and restoring the use of their limbs and hands.
Designed by a team led by UBC electrical and computer engineering professor Dr. Peyman Servati, and Texavie, a startup founded by Dr. Servati and his team, the smart glove incorporates state-of-the-art technology to track hand and finger movements during rehabilitation exercises. This project is supervised by Dr. Janice Eng, a distinguished stroke rehabilitation specialist and professor of medicine at UBC.
The smart glove boasts a sophisticated network of highly sensitive sensor yarns and pressure sensors woven into a comfortable, stretchy fabric. This unique design enables the glove to track, capture, and wirelessly transmit even the smallest hand and finger movements. What sets this technology apart is its precision, as it eliminates the need for motion-capture cameras commonly used in similar devices.
"With this glove, we can monitor patients' hand and finger movements without the need for cameras. We can then analyze and fine-tune their exercise programs for the best possible results, even remotely,"
Published in Nature Machine Intelligence, the recent paper by Dr. Servati and his team outlines the breakthroughs achieved in creating the most accurate glove for tracking hand and finger movements and grasping force. Utilizing machine learning models, the glove can determine the angles of all finger joints and the wrist with at least 99% accuracy, matching the performance of costly motion-capture cameras.
Dr. Servati highlighted various breakthroughs, including the wireless and comfortable nature of the glove, setting it apart from other products in the market. The device can be easily washed after removing the battery, adding to the convenience for users. Moreover, the team has developed cost-effective methods for local manufacturing of the smart gloves and related apparel.
Looking ahead, Dr. Servati envisions the seamless integration of the smart glove into the consumer market with ongoing improvements and collaboration with various industrial partners. The team also sees potential applications in virtual reality, augmented reality, animation, and robotics.
"Imagine being able to accurately capture hand movements and interactions with objects and have it automatically display on a screen. There are endless applications. You can type text without needing a physical keyboard, control a robot, or translate American Sign Language into written speech in real time, providing easier communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing,"
The smart glove represents a remarkable leap forward in stroke rehabilitation technology, offering enhanced precision and also a glimpse into the future of wearable devices with wide-ranging applications beyond medical rehabilitation.