8:00 Opening remarks
8:10 Invited talk by Alan Wagner
8:35 Invited talk by Kinda Khalaf
9:00 Invited talk by Emmanuel Dean
9:25 Poster lightning talk
9:40--10:30 Coffee Break with poster session
10:30 Invited talk by Hasan Al-Nashash
10:55 Invited talk by Lorenzo Landolfi
11:20 Invited talk by Tomoyuki Noda
11:45 Closing and open discussion
12:00 Move to IROS opening
Alan Wagner (Pennsylvania State University, USA)
Title: From Misuse to Abuse: Gauging the Potential for Overtrust in Assistive Robots
Abstract: Trust is often a necessary precursor for the adoption and correct use of a technology such as an assistive robot, especially when that use of a robot entails significant risk. This talk examines how and why humans trust assistive robots focusing on the potential for misuse of assistive rehabilitative exoskeletons. Our work suggests that child patients and the parents of these children may tend to overtrust assistive robots, relying on them when they should not, potentially increasing the risks they face. This work also explores the concerns of clinical practitioners. We present results from a series of surveys and interviews exploring different perspectives on how this technology might be misused and discuss methods for calibrating the trust that patients and practitioners have in these systems. Finally, we conclude by considering the ethical ramifications of developing assistive robots that may foster reliance and entail the acceptance of risk by patients.
Kinda Khalaf (Khalifa University, UAE)
Title: Adaptation Robotics and Cognitive Load: Use of a Supernumerary Finger for Activities of Daily Living
Abstract: This study investigated the impact of utilizing Supernumerary Robotic Fingers (SRFs) on cognitive load during activities of daily living (ADLs) among a group of healthy individuals. The increasing global prevalence of stroke has heightened the need for effective rehabilitative solutions which simultaneously address both motor and cognitive dysfunction. Robotic-aided therapies, including SRFs, are a promising robotic device towards enhancing self-sufficiency and independence in stroke patients. However, understanding how patients interact and adapt to innovative SRFs remains understudied despite being key for optimizing efficacy. This research employed electroencephalography (EEG) to study cognitive adaptability during SRF-assisted tasks. Specifically, functional connectivity and graph theory analytical metrics were applied to EEG data to elucidate alterations in cerebral connectivity of frontal cortex. Our findings reveal significant changes in EEG activity during SRF-assisted tasks, with notable impact on attention, motor planning, and emotional expression. Moreover, disruptions in local neuronal communication imply potential challenges in SRF-assisted activities. This work not only expands our understanding of neural dynamics as associated with SRF use, but also lays the foundation for future research into the cognitive aspects of assistive technologies, paving the way for the design and development of more effective holistic rehabilitation interventions for stroke survivors.
Emmanuel Dean (Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden)
Title: AURORA: Adaptive User-Centred Robotic Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
Abstract: As global health needs shift and the aging population grows, the demand for rehabilitation services is expected to increase significantly. Digital technology presents an opportunity to overcome these barriers and deliver efficient, person-centered healthcare solutions, particularly in rehabilitation and physiotherapy. The AURORA initiative, a collaborative effort between Chalmers University of Technology, Chalmers AI Research Centre (CHAIR), Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Gothenburg University, focuses on developing innovative, user-centered technologies to support adaptive rehabilitation. By integrating physical and cognitive perspectives, AURORA seeks to enhance the rehabilitation experience for both patients and physiotherapists, optimizing outcomes and improving care delivery. In this presentation, we will introduce the core principles of the AURORA initiative, showing how advanced technologies can empower physiotherapy and rehabilitation practices. Through real-world examples, we will showcase the potential of digital tools to address the current and future challenges of rehabilitation, ultimately improving patient outcomes and fostering more adaptive, user-centered care systems.
Hasan Al-Nashash (American University of Sharjah, UAE)
Title: Cognitive Vigilance Management
Abstract: Cognitive vigilance enhancement presents a challenging, yet exciting field for engineers and scientists. It is important in the workplace environments which require constant monitoring, such as lorry driving, surveillance or air traffic control. Vigilance assessment is also an intriguing area of study, particularly in the context of human-robot collaboration and automation. In this research, we use different methods for cognitive vigilance level assessment including subjective, behavioral, and physiological. We will present experiments which have been conducted on human subjects while performing a mental task. The physiological measures include electroencephalography and functional near infrared spectroscopy signals. Alternative advanced digital signal processing and machine learning algorithms were utilized to improve the signal quality and to analyze the collected data and transform it into a quantitative index that reflects the levels of vigilance. We will also present several strategies for vigilance enhancement such as cognitive workload modulation and multisensory stimulation.
Lorenzo Landolfi / Monica Gori (Italian Institute of Technology, Italy)
Title: wikiSign: from science to technology
Abstract: The interconnection between science and technology is fundamental if we want to reach people with responsible technology: only validated technology is useful. Within the UVIP group we use an interdisciplinary approach to study brain mechanisms and develop new solutions for children and adults with sensory impairment. In this presentation we will give an overview of our work and present a new application for deaf children. Worldwide, there are about 34 million children with severe acoustic impairment. Hearing loss negatively affects educational performance, as students with hearing impairments often struggle to follow lessons, especially since sign language interpreters are often available for only a few hours each week. This limited access contributes to low classroom inclusion, a problem further compounded by the general lack of accessible educational content. Addressing a pressing need identified by educators at a local primary school in Genoa, we worked on enabling the participation of deaf students in lessons where no sign language interpreter is available. These students face concrete obstacles in the context of conventional Italian language-centered teaching methodologies, and strongly prefer Italian Sign Language (Lingua Italiana dei Segni - LIS) as their primary mode of communication. Unfortunately, the scarcity of didactic materials in LIS further exacerbates their educational barriers. In response, we introduce wikisign, a platform built using modern web technologies (developed within the RAISE project), which offers an intuitive interface for disseminating sign language content tailored to students at various educational levels. By leveraging the collaborative nature of a wiki-style platform, wikisign empowers educators and stakeholders to contribute and curate a rich repository of LIS resources. This talk will offer a comprehensive overview of the technical architecture and functionality of WikiSign, along with an exploration of potential integration points for artificial intelligence throughout the content generation pipeline.
Tomoyuki Noda (ATR, Japan)
Title: Designed Variable Stiffness for Enhanced Sense of Agency: Shaping the Future of Adaptive Assistive Robotics
abstract: Experienced therapists adjust the force according to the needs of each patient, emphasising the importance of eliciting voluntary movement while providing safe and effective rehabilitation. In assistive robotics for neurorehabilitation, the basis for achieving appropriate force control is based on improving low impedance characteristics and dynamic transparency. Dynamic transparency refers to the robot's ability to respond flexibly to the patient's active movements while delivering the assistive force naturally, creating a sense of mechanical transparency for the user. This property facilitates the correct adjustment of force, which is expected to increase the sense of agency and improve rehabilitation outcomes. This talk will present an AI-driven framework for optimising the efficiency of neurorehabilitation and discuss the robotic technologies that embody this concept. It will also cover technical approaches in assistive technologies, including pneumatic artificial muscles and hybrid pneumatic-electric actuators, aimed at reducing physical impedance and increasing backdrivability.
Enhancing Block-Design Test with Multi-scopic CPSS based on Embodied Integration for Physical and Cognitive Evaluation [PDF]
Authors: Adnan Rachmat Anom Besari, Azhar Aulia Saputra, Fernando Ardilla, Qingwei Song, Weihao Wang, Takenori Obo, Jun-ichi Yamamoto and Naoyuki Kubota
White Lies in Virtual Reality: Impact on Enjoyment and Fatigue [PDF]
Authors: Haruka Murakami, Vittorio Fiscale, Agata Marta Soccini, Tetsunari Inamura
User-Centered Rapid Control Prototyping for Improving the Float Upper Limb Exoskeleton [PDF]
Authors: Giulia Bodo, Gianluca Capitta, Luca De Guglielmo, Nicolo Boccardo, and Matteo Laffranchi
Design of Smart Orthosis based on Hall Effect Sensors for Rehabilitation of Achilles Tendon Ruptures [PDF]
Authors: Adam Anderson, Rikard Karlsson, Rita Laezza, and Emmanuel Dean-Leon