This joint program reviews the state-of-the-art of the field of model-based assistive robotic technologies for medicine and rehabilitation in the USA and Japan, outlines the fundamental science and technologies in this area, and proposes models for future collaborative research between Japan and USA by building on the mutual strengths. In particular, gait training for stroke patients using exoskeletons is studied.
The field of medical and rehabilitation robotics offers much in terms of broad societal impact. In addition, the project exposes graduate students and faculty to the culture of research in Japan, and more broadly, Asia. Today, Japan leads in many areas of robotics and automation. The students in the NSF-JST program interact with researchers in Japan and visit prominent universities and research laboratories. This exposure provides excellent training for the students and prepares them for careers in industry and academia globally.
In order to make robotics safe and effective, robot systems should have appropriate interface based on understanding of human motion, sensation and cognition. So far, technology for human modeling, surgical robotics and rehabilitation robotics have been studied individually in Japan and USA. By exchanging information, the goal is to clarify the common problems for social acceptability of robotic technology such as safety assurance and risk assessment methodologies. This reserach program provided an opportunity for the participants to attend six workshops organized by the joint research groups in USA and Japan. The PI also had the opportunity to organize the 6th workshop at the premises Columbia University which was attended by members of the program and research students from PI's group and broader Columbia campus. This program has led to a broader exposure of research within the member groups and has benefited the ongoing and future directions of research in the PI's group.
