TUM-IAS-JHU Workshop

Sensory Integration in Neuroprostheses and Rehabilitation

October 30th, 2024

Topic

Sensory integration, the phenomenon of merging and using sensory inputs in a coherent manner, has become a frontier in robotics, rehabilitation, and sensory neuroprostheses. In prostheses and rehabilitation applications, different streams of sensory information are perceived and integrated by individuals with sensorimotor deficits to interact with the environment. In robotics, sensory information allows robots to achieve human-like behavior when interacting with objects.

The goal of this workshop is to discuss the latest advances and challenges in understanding sensory perception and integration in intact humans, evaluating sensory integration in individuals with sensorimotor deficits, as well as achieving sensory fusion for humanoid robots. From somatosensory feedback, cortical responses, to robotics and algorithms that enable multimodal sensing in robots, participants will learn about the latest advancements, methodologies, as well as scientific and technological challenges along these paths.

Funding: This workshop is funded by the TUM IAS-Fellowship of Prof. Nitish Thakor as part of the project "Human-Centered Neuroengineering" together with Prof. Gordon Cheng.

Agenda

Morning Session:

Engineering Sensory Input - Neuroprostheses, Rehabilitation

9:15 - 9:30: Welcome (Gordon Cheng and Nitish Thakor)

9:30 - 9:50: Session Introduction

Fengyi Wang, Nicolas Berberich (TUM)

9:50 - 10:50: Talks (15-20min each)

Max Ortiz-Catalan (Center for Complex Endoprosthetics, Osseointegration, and Bionics)
- "Bionic Limbs and Neurorehabilitation of Pain"
Solaiman Shokur (EPFL)
- "Restoring the Full Palette of Sensations in Upper Limb Amputees"
Cristina Piazza (TUM)
- "Exploring Augmented Grasping Capabilities in Multi-synergistic Soft Bionic Hands"

10:50 - 11:05: Coffee Break

11:05 - 12:05: Group Discussion:

“What are the most important research topics to improve the usability of neuroprostheses & exoskeletons and facilitate the translation to industrial and clinical applications? What are the biggest challenges?"

12:05 - 13:40: Lunch Break (Restaurant: Le Faubourg)

Afternoon Session:

Neurocognitive Integration - Brain-computer Interfaces, Extra Limbs, Virtual Reality

13:45 - 14:15: Session Introduction

Andrei Dragomir, Catherine Ding (JHU)

14:15 - 15:45: Talks (15-20min each)

Simon Jacob (TUM)
- "Right-hemispheric Language Processing in Aphasia at Single-neuron Resolution"
Michela Bassolino (University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland - Valais)
- "Body Perception: a Hidden Component of Sensory Integration"
Andrea Serino (UNIL, virtual)
- "Sense of Agency for Brain Machine Interfaces"
Tamar Makin (Cambridge, virtual)
- "Sensing the Third Thumb: Neurocognitive Insights into Augmented Haptics"

15:45 - 16:00: Coffee Break

16:00 - 17:00: Group Discussion:

“What are the future directions in brain-machine interfaces and how do we incorporate cognitive science?”

17:15 - 18:15: Lab Tour (Institute for Cognitive Systems, Karlstraße 45)

19:30 - 21:30: Workshop Dinner (Restaurant: Augustiner am Dom)

Zoom

https://tum-conf.zoom-x.de/j/61971260898?pwd=ERJIIrj2XwuHrDFWGl9mycdWm8Uodl.1

Meeting ID: 619 7126 0898

Passcode: 817474

Venue

Auditorium at TranslaTUM, Klinikum rechts der Isar (TUM University Hospital)

Einsteinstraße 25, 81675 Munich

Public Transit: Take either the U4 or U5 metro line to Max-Weber-Platz. From there it is only a 2min walk.

To use public transportation in this area, a ticket valid for only Zone M is sufficient. It can be purchased at ticket machines or through the MVGO app (link). A single ticket should cost €3.90, while a day ticket cost €9.20.