University of Twente Researchers Launch CEINMS-RT, Open-Source Platform to Revolutionize Wearable Robotics and Rehabilitation

University of Twente Researchers Launch CEINMS-RT, Open-Source Platform to Revolutionize Wearable Robotics and Rehabilitation

(IN BRIEF) Researchers at the University of Twente, led by Prof. Massimo Sartori, in collaboration with McGill University and Griffith University, have developed CEINMS-RT, an open-source platform designed to advance wearable robotics. This platform enables real-time, neuro-mechanical model-based control for devices such as exoskeletons, exosuits, and bionic limbs, providing significant potential for rehabilitation and movement augmentation. CEINMS-RT offers personalized, task-agnostic control, empowering global collaboration in wearable technology development. It has already demonstrated success in clinical trials, helping patients with neurological impairments regain limb control and facilitating optimized rehabilitation through real-time biofeedback. The platform’s open-source nature is intended to inspire further innovation in human-machine interfaces, with future iterations expected to include muscle fatigue modeling and joint stiffness estimation.

(PRESS RELEASE) ENSCHEDE, 27-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A groundbreaking open-source platform, CEINMS-RT, developed by researchers at the University of Twente (UT) under the leadership of Prof. Massimo Sartori, in collaboration with global institutions such as McGill University (Canada) and Griffith University (Australia), is set to revolutionize the field of wearable robotics.

This innovative framework enables real-time, neuro-mechanical model-based control for movement-assistive robots, including exoskeletons, exosuits, and bionic limbs. By integrating real-time electromyography (EMG) data and biomechanical modeling, CEINMS-RT allows for the development of wearable devices that seamlessly integrate with human movement, offering significant advancements in rehabilitation and human movement augmentation.

CEINMS-RT, or Calibrated EMG-informed Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling Software – Real-Time, addresses critical challenges in wearable robotics. Unlike traditional systems that rely on rigid control schemes or proprietary technologies, CEINMS-RT offers an open-source alternative. It empowers researchers and developers to create personalized, task-agnostic control strategies, broadening access and fostering global collaboration.

Dr. Massimo Sartori, one of the lead researchers on the project, emphasized, “By making this platform open-source, we aim to inspire cross-disciplinary innovation and collaboration, ultimately improving the quality of life for people worldwide.” The platform provides precise estimates of muscle activation, tendon forces, and joint dynamics, enabling wearable robots to act as natural extensions of the human body, adapting to a wide range of movements and tasks.

One of the platform’s most notable capabilities is its real-time neuro-mechanical modeling, which delivers continuous and personalized data for robotic control in dynamic environments. This provides wearables with the ability to support a variety of applications, from assisting people with mobility impairments to enhancing athletic performance.

CEINMS-RT has already been used in several successful clinical trials. Patients with neurological impairments have regained volitional control of their limbs through robotic exoskeletons powered by the platform. In other instances, the platform facilitated real-time biofeedback, optimizing muscle and joint loading during rehabilitation, thus preventing injuries and accelerating recovery. Additionally, CEINMS-RT has been applied in adaptive control systems for back-support exosuits, reducing lumbar spine stress during heavy lifting, and bionic limbs, which offer users natural, intuitive movement.

The platform’s open-source nature invites further development and collaboration within the growing community dedicated to advancing human-machine interfaces. Future versions of CEINMS-RT are expected to include features like muscle fatigue modeling and joint stiffness estimation, further expanding its scope and impact on wearable robotics.

Researchers and developers interested in the platform can access CEINMS-RT via the project’s GitHub repository: https://github.com/CEINMS-RT.

Scientific Paper: Massimo Sartori, Mohamed I Refai, Lucas Avanci Gaudio, et al. CEINMS-RT: an open-source framework for the continuous neuro-mechanical model-based control of wearable robots. TechRxiv. December 12, 2024.
DOI: 10.36227/techrxiv.173397962.28177284/v1

Media contact:

Prof.Dr.ir. M. Sartori (Massimo)
Full Professor and Chair of Neuromuscular Robotics

Drs. J.G.M. van den Elshout (Janneke)
Press relations (available Mon-Fri)
+31 53 489 6007
j.g.m.vandenelshout@utwente.nl

SOURCE: University of Twente