The State Agency for Innovation in collaboration with Massachusetts Technology donated $ 3 million to Harvard for the next generation of robotics and wearable technologies.
The funding, announced in a March 2 press release, supports four research projects on the Harvard and Boston University initiatives for the use of medical devices for stroke recovery, injury prevention and other rehabilitation techniques.
The research projects are housed at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Boston University.
Researchers from both schools work together in the Harvard Move Laboratory, bringing SEAS-inspired engineers, clinics and researchers into a wide range of disciplines.
“The focus is on taking this exciting research and putting it behind the technical maturity needed to take it out of the lab and into a real-world application,” said David Perry, Harvard Move Lab executive. “So we focus on translating studies that can improve people’s lives.”
The project also includes two industry partners, Rewalk Robotics and Imago Rehab, both of which will develop technology to help those with mobility problems.
Imago Hunger, launched a year ago from Harvard Biodingering Laboratory, aims to develop a “tele recovery” service that uses wearable technology to remotely assist individuals with neurological disorders, according to Lead Christine Nichols in clinical programming.
“More than 5 million Americans are partially paralyzed after a stroke and we hope to improve the lives of many in this community,” he said.
Nichols added that the support and collaboration with Harvard Move Lab will enable Imago Rehab to license new technologies for upper extremity stroke recovery.
In a SEAS press release, Massachusetts Governor Charlie de Baker praised the work of Massachusetts researchers ’79, a recent contribution to improving patient care around the world.
“Massachusetts is a global leader in technology and healthcare because of our ongoing focus on supporting critical research, the use of collaborative networks, and innovation,” he wrote.
“With these additional resources, we can develop new auxiliary tools for patients around the world with these additional resources,” Baker added.
– Staff Writer Felix can be reached at felicia.he@thecrimson.com.
– Staff Writer James R. Jolly can be reached at james.jolin@thecrimson.com.