Rehabilitation and assistive robotics have shown remarkable promise in laboratories, but their transition into routine clinical practice, and especially into daily home use, remains limited. Several systems still fail to cross this translational gap. This is because: (1) they are not sufficiently adaptable to diverse user needs and their evolving abilities, which is necessary to guarantee their long-term use; (2) they are not affordable or simple enough in their setup to allow widespread deployment; and (3) these systems are not engaging enough to sustain regular use over time. As a result, robots that perform well in research settings often remain confined to the lab rather than becoming tools that can sustainably improve recovery and independence in real-world contexts.

This workshop will focus on strategies to take rehabilitation and assistive robotics out-of-the-lab and into clinics and homes. Central themes include: (1) personalization through human-in-the-loop control and the use of physiological, cognitive, and behavioral signals; (2) design principles that ensure compactness, affordability, and usability; and (3) approaches to promote adherence, safety, and acceptance in daily life.

By bringing together researchers in robotics, mechanics, and human–robot interaction with clinicians, ethicists, and industry partners, the workshop will foster an interdisciplinary dialogue on how to develop technologies that are both clinically meaningful and socially relevant. The goal is to build a community dedicated to making rehabilitation and assistive robotics effective, accessible, and sustainable beyond research environments.

Robotic systems for rehabilitation and assistance have advanced significantly over the past decade, with devices ranging from wearable exoskeletons and soft robotic suits to smart mobility aids such as robotic wheelchairs and walkers. While many prototypes have demonstrated effectiveness in laboratories and early clinical trials, their integration into everyday rehabilitation practice and long-term home use remains rare. The challenge lies in designing solutions that are not only technically advanced but also compact, cost-effective, easy to set up, and sufficiently engaging to encourage continued use. Without these qualities, even promising devices risk abandonment once they leave the research setting.

This workshop will examine how to design rehabilitation and assistive robots that can successfully transition out of the lab, first into clinics, and then into home environments. Particular attention will be given to the role of personalization, emphasizing how physiological and behavioral signals can guide adaptive assistance and allow robots to evolve alongside the abilities and needs of their users. Equally important is the issue of affordability and accessibility since durable, low-cost solutions are essential for clinical adoption and broad diffusion. Engagement will also be highlighted since technologies must be intuitive, comfortable, and motivating if they are to be integrated into daily routines.

Topics will include:

• personalization and adaptability through human-in-the-loop approaches using physiological and behavioral signals; 

• design for affordability, portability, and usability in clinical and home contexts; 

• methods for fostering engagement and motivation; 

• clinical and translational pathways that address the barriers to deployment outside research environments; 

• evaluation frameworks to establish clinically meaningful and socially relevant metrics for assessing long-term outcomes.

By bringing together researchers, clinicians, therapists, ethicists, and industry representatives, the workshop will provide a unique opportunity to discuss strategies for translating promising prototypes into effective solutions that improve autonomy, recovery, and quality of life in real-world contexts.

The expected outcomes from this workshop include a shared overview of open challenges, a clearer picture of the barriers to clinical and home adoption, the definition of priorities for translational research, and stronger collaborations between academia, healthcare, and industry. By integrating technical, clinical, and societal perspectives, the workshop will advance the creation of robotic solutions that truly reach people’s homes and improve autonomy, recovery, and quality of life. This will broaden the diversity of IROS 2026 and offer participants concrete directions for shaping the future of rehabilitation and assistive robotics.