Rehabilitation Robotics is a new field of re-

search dedicated in understanding and assisting

the rehabilitation process of patients around the

world through the use of robotic devices.

Tailored for assisting various sensorimotor func-

tions (e.g. arm, hand, leg), these robotic devices

are also a part of different schemes in facilitating

therapeutic training.

One of the many advantages provide by such

devices are the fact that you can repeat the proc-

ess or exercise as many times as you need.

It measures the patient’s improvement or decline with precision and ease and it can be

used for long periods of time for constant therapy.

The rehabilitation robots have different applications of techniques embedded in their

system to accurately asses the adaptability level of each patient.

The future is now.

I n s i d e t h i s

i s s u e :

The future is

now

1

A 25-year

road to suc-

1

ROBERT—

your personal

friend

2

The battle

against CVD

2

Robo-

exercise.

3

Vasteras

Giraff

3

KFNB Reader 4

A 25-year road to success

Due to Lasse Thomsen’s (founder and owner) 25 years of experience in industrial

automation and robotics, LT-automation has become one of the leading consulting com-

panies in this field. Where Scandinavian innovation meets high-tech and cost effective-

ness solutions, tailored to your needs.

Through quality, creativity and respectful communication as our vision, LT-automation

has successfully been a partner to many companies in the food, metal healthcare and

pharmaceutical industries.

L T - a u t o m a t i o n

ROBERT to the rescue! 2 6 . 0 9 . 2 0 1 4 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 1

ROBERT

rehabilitation robotic device

S p e c i a l

p o i n t s o f

i n t e r e s t :

ROBERT, the

newcomer

rehabilitation

robotic device

Can robots

help?

From skype

on wheels to

new app, the

tech world

presents its

newest crea-

tions

P a g e 2

Cardiovascular disease

R O B E R T t o

t h e

r e s c u e !

Robert is a robot arm specifically designed to aid therapist and patients

alike in the process of physical rehabilitation; also monitoring the patient’s overall

improvement.

The creation of ROBERT was due out of necessity. After careful research on

account of the many complaints of therapist of back pain from repeated heavy

lifting, LT-automation decided to put its experience in robotics to good use.

Possessing a unique movable base and 6-axis robot arm, ROBERT has a

payload of 10 kg, making the pain of lifting an adult sized human leg, a thing of

the past., also conceding a big range in freedom of movement. With little to no

noise, the robot arm allows a relaxing and efficient exercise routine.

Facilitated by its polyscope graphical user interface on a 12 inch touch-

screen with mounting, on which the certified medical staff can program a variety

of exercises specially designed for the specific needs of the patient.

Among many features, there is a safety switch for patients in case of dis-

comfort, making it easy to interrupt or terminate the exercise if needed, complete

with footrest and handle to mount according to needs.

In cooperation with Foruden Living Lab Fremtidens Plejehjem, Plejehjem-

met Birkebo, Center for Velfærdsteknologi, Sygehus Vendsyssel, Sygehus Hjørring

and Aalborg University; LT– automation has been receiving positive input in the

design process for satisfying the needs of end-users everywhere.

Be it post stroke rehabilitation, total knee and hip joint replacement or

even the strengthening of the shoulder, ROBERT is ready for its future home.

ROBERT—Your personal friend

R O B E R T t o t h e r e s c u e !

Testing of ROBERT,

rehabilitation

robotic device

The battle against CVD Cardiovascular disease (CDV) is still a pending concern in today’s society,

responsible for more than 4 million European deaths per year, physicians are

equally battling the leading causes as much as the post stroke effects.

Not only does it make room for a life of disability but it also constitutes as a

great overall economic burden for the EU. Around 9% of the total health care ex-

penditure across the EU goes into CVD, out of this 50% is due to direct healthcare

costs, whilst 29% to the informal care of people.

Estimates show that the cost directed to the EU economy is almost € 196 bil-

lion a year.

The discussion of the necessity and effectiveness of

robot nurses has been a wildly polemic topic.

Are robots better than doctors?

Well, no….but they do help in making a difference,

albeit small for now, in the overall sensorimotor aspect

of rehabilitation.

First, robots can do something doctors can’t, and by that I mean, they deliver quantifiable input and

measure the patient’s output objectively.

Secondly, for neuro-recovery, devices that provide safe, reproducible physical activity would obvi-

ously assist health care delivery experts. A normal day at a rehabilitation hospital consists of at least 3h

of instruction, leaving several time periods available for additional therapy. If proceeded correctly, a sin-

gle therapist may manage several patients at the same time, leaving them occasionally to interact with

their device for the duration of the exercise.

But that does not answer our question. Does robo-assistance work?

Research shows that 90% of stroke survivors have significant neurological deficits, and that the

largest proportion of recovery occurs during the months that immediately follow the acute stroke. It is at

this time that the frequency and effectiveness of physical rehabilitation treatments matter the most.

Through the use of sequential positron emission tomography images performed while the patient’s limb

was passively moved, physicians have had the opportunity to test and observe the effects of enhanced

treatment compared to those who underwent a standard treatment with a physician. The results demon-

strated that the enhanced group had more activation, a greater regional cerebral blood flow in various

sensorimotor cortical areas.

Although the results are promising, the nature of the movements in physical rehabilitation cannot be

copied by machines just yet. Robotic devices are still in the test phase, in order to properly train the

wrist, fingers and shoulder elevation, improvements are still needed.

The Vasteras Giraff is a new mobile tool designed to help the elderly communicate

with the outside world. In other words, it’s skype on wheels.

It provides two-way video calling, it’s remote controlled, fully equipped with a cam-

era, a monitor and it can be controlled through any normal PC. Although the Vesteras Giraff

isn’t particularly multifunctional in the sense that we would hope, it’s potential is limitless.

Through constant improvements and rigorous testing, Giraff Technologies is

on the right path.

Robo-exercise. How effective is it?

Robot of the week: Vasteras Giraff

P a g e 3 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 1

Patient with

arm injury as-

sisted by a ro-

botic arm as

part of his re-

habilitation

Elderly woman using the

Vasteras Giraff robotic device

LT-Automation

Gl. Markedsvej 1

DK-9230 Hjallerup

Phone: +45 86 51 88 80

E-mail: lth@lt-automation.dk

At LT-automation we work with the

future of health and welfare technology,

industrial automation, by developing,

promoting and implementing solutions

through automation and robotics, in or-

der to help you save time and money on

your business.

For a total customized solution to meet

your needs our offers are at two levels,

turnkey and trade contracts. Prepared to

take control of the entire automation pro-

ject or helping you create your own team

in this endeavor, LT-automation is ready

to assist.

LT-automation

In the news of exciting apps, for this number we pre-

pared a brand new, off the shelf product. An Iphone app

called KNFB Reader.

KNFB Reader is a new useful tool for those who can’t

find menus in Braille, can’t read street signs or just about

any text that is normally targeted for the sighted. The new

app is able to read any text out loud, just point the phone

towards an object with text on it and snap a picture wit the

app.

It automatically recognizes the text and starts reading it to

the user.

Developed by K-NFB Reading Technology Inc., with the

help of Kurzweil Tech., Sensotec and The National Federa-

tion of the Blind, for now is available only for IOS devices.

Did you know: New app to aid the blind

Choose the right

solution.

KNFB

Reader