WEARABLE ROBOTS IN HEALTHCARE: APPLICATIONS, BENEFITS, CHALLENGES AND MORE

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Sony Sherpa, (MBBS) - September 02, 2024
Wearable robots are no longer just a concept from science fiction movies. They are now a reality, revolutionizing how we think about human assistance. These advanced wearables provide support, strength, and mobility to the wearer.
This blog sheds light on the types of wearable robots available, their current applications, benefits, limitations, and the future of this rapidly evolving technology.
Types of Wearable Robots
There are various types of wearable robots, each with its unique design and purpose. Some of the most common types include exoskeletons, soft robots and assistive garments, bionic limbs, and intelligent prosthetics.
- Exoskeletons are wearable robots that provide support and strength to the wearer, commonly used in industries such as construction and healthcare. They work with motors and sensors that support and detect the wearer's movements.
- Soft robots and assistive garments are worn directly on the body and made from flexible materials, often used for physical therapy, rehabilitation, and reducing strain in industries like manufacturing.
- Bionic limbs are wearable robots designed to replace or enhance a natural limb, used by people with limbs lost to injury or illness. They are powered by motors and controlled by the user's muscles or nerve signals, allowing them to perform tasks previously considered impossible.
- Smart prosthetics are advanced prosthetics integrated with artificial intelligence, able to learn and adapt to the user's movements for a more natural experience. Individuals with amputations or congenital limb differences often use them.
Applications and Benefits of Wearable Robots
Wearable robots have various applications in various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and construction.
By monitoring the wearer's vitals and body movements, a wearable robot can assist in carrying out many different bodily functions that require using muscles. These include walking, breathing, postural stability, and heavy lifting.
Here are some of the advantages of wearable robots:
Enhance Human Abilities
Wearable robots augment human abilities and enable individuals to accomplish more.
- They can enhance physical capabilities and performance in every sphere of life.
- Sharing physically demanding tasks with wearable robots improves comfort and lowers fatigue.
- Permits individuals to undertake physical activities for longer durations.
- They can help avoid falls by supporting and providing stability to elderly individuals[1].
- They enable athletes to achieve higher performance levels.
- Robots will allow people to carry out multiple tasks in one go.
Physical Rehabilitation
Wearable robots, such as assistive garments and exoskeletons, are increasingly used in physical rehabilitation.
- Wearable robots can help with pain management and physical rehabilitation after injury or surgery.
- They can aid in the recovery process.
- Wearable robots provide controlled movement and resistance for musculoskeletal support.
- They help patients regain muscle strength and range of motion.
- Accelerate recovery and improve physical well-being.
Other types of wearable robots, such as smart prosthetics, imitate how a missing limb would naturally move. This imitation gives users a smoother and easier experience.
Wearable robots are beneficial for those recovering from traumatic injuries or surgeries, as well as individuals with stroke, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, and similar conditions.
Researchers from Seoul National University made a recent breakthrough in recovery robotics that helped an opera singer with a spinal cord injury breathe, cough, and even sing professionally again.
They developed a wearable robot that assists these paralyzed individuals by applying pressure to their diaphragm and mimicking the natural process of exhaling. A sensor in the waistband monitors the user’s breathing, and AI adjusts the pressure accordingly. The creators hope the robot will one day be a less intrusive alternative to ventilators.
Chronic Pain Management
Chronic pain can substantially detract from a person's quality of life. Soft robots and assistive garments can help patients with chronic pain disorders by providing gentle compression and warmth, similar to human touch. This type of robot proved effective at reducing pain perception and alleviating injection-related fear in a preclinical trial.
Musculoskeletal support and muscle-strengthening exercises can also help relieve pain and fatigue in arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Disability Support
Wearable robots can offer support to individuals with disabilities, helping them perform tasks that were previously difficult or impossible.
- Wearable robots offer support and assistance to individuals with limited mobility.
- They can assist in improving balance and strength.
- These robots enable people to regain independence in daily activities.
- They can assist in performing tasks that were once difficult or impossible for physically impaired individuals, such as climbing stairs or walking.
For example, South Korean researchers at Chung-Ang University developed a wearable robot that aids people with muscle weakness and related walking difficulties.[2] The robot improved balance and reduced energy expenditure during a walking trial.
Other robots are under development for seniors who struggle to walk due to frailty. Such robotics can support the legs and hips, providing walking assistance. They also promote independent walking as they help the individual exercise their legs safely and build back lost muscle.[3]
Greater Societal Inclusivity
By providing individuals with disabilities or physical limitations the opportunity to participate in various activities and industries, wearable robots promote inclusivity and equal opportunities, leading to a more diverse and inclusive society.
Neurological Disorders
Wearable robots can aid individuals with neurological disorders like Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. These devices can help optimize movement and therapy, improving the individuals' sense of independence and quality of life.
For instance, a collaboration between researchers from Harvard and Boston University has developed a soft wearable robot that assists people with Parkinson's Disease in walking without freezing.[4] The robot, made from soft materials, provides external support and gently pushes against the wearer's body to prevent freezing episodes commonly experienced by individuals with Parkinson's.
Enhanced Cognitive Function
Some wearable robots possess advanced technology that can enhance cognitive function and support individuals with cognitive impairments.
- Advanced technologies integrated into wearable robots can help improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
- These robots can offer reminders, prompts, and cognitive exercises.
Occupational Safety and Productivity
In industrial and occupational settings, wearable robots can enhance safety by reducing strain and fatigue on workers.
- These robots can assist with heavy lifting and repetitive tasks.
- By taking on physically demanding tasks, they help prevent work-related injuries.
- They improve productivity and overall performance in the workplace.
- Wearable robots lead to a safer and more efficient working environment.
These are just a few examples of the applications of wearable robots. As technology gets better, we expect to see the uses and benefits advance with increasing degrees of innovation.
Challenges and Limitations
While wearable robots offer many benefits, the technology is far from perfect and needs more development before it becomes widely available.[5]
One of the main challenges is the cost of these devices, which can be prohibitive for some individuals and industries. It is essential to reduce production costs and ensure they are available to those who most benefit from them. Widely available insurance coverage can solve this issue.
There are also concerns about wearable robots' safety, reliability, and standardization, as they are still a relatively new technology. These issues extend to their user-friendliness and integration into healthcare systems.
Proper user training and regular maintenance are essential to lower the chances of accidents.
Further technology refinement can address affordability, comfort, fit, usability, and functionality concerns. Necessary improvements include:
- Enhancing sensing and feedback mechanisms
- Extending power sources and battery life
- Improving user comfort and doing away with bulky designs
- Refining the control interfaces for more intuitive and seamless user experiences
Increasing dependence on wearable robots also raises ethical questions on autonomy, privacy, and the potential for job displacement.
By minimizing these drawbacks, we can maximize the potential of wearable robots and ensure their safe and effective use.
The Future of Wearable Robots
The field of wearable robots is rapidly evolving, and we can expect to see even more advanced, innovative, and affordable devices.
A promising area of innovation is advancing sensor technology.
Robot sensors can detect movements, muscle activity, and vital signs, providing feedback for personalized assistance and rehabilitation. Better sensor accuracy and miniaturization (nanosensors) will enhance the potential of wearable robots and allow for a more compact design.
One example is the integration of AI into wearable robots, which will allow for more natural and intuitive movements. AI can provide real-time feedback that allows for seamless integration of bionic limbs, sometimes even faster than the human brain.
Development in brain-computer interfaces makes for another exciting innovation where the user's thoughts can act as the sensor. This technology can potentially allow individuals to control wearable robots with their minds.[6]
Further advances include:
- Robots are made of more comfortable materials that adapt to users' bodies, improving usability.
- Customization of wearable robots to provide a highly personalized solution to meet individual needs.
- Wearable robots’ Integration into healthcare systems, aiding remote monitoring and personalized treatment plans. They collect and transmit data, improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
As technology advances, wearable robots will evolve and find new applications. With advancements in AI, science, sensor technology, and integration with healthcare systems, the potential for wearable robots to improve human well-being is vast.
Conclusion
Wearable robots are redefining human assistance and have the potential to make remarkable changes in the lives of those living with disabilities and chronic diseases. They offer numerous benefits and applications. As technology progresses, we can predict the arrival of more innovative devices in the future. With the potential to increase strength, mobility, and independence, wearable robots truly change how we think.
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