A portable robot therapist helps ALS patients.

It adapts to each person.

For patients diagnosed with ALS, simple tasks such as lifting an arm or holding a piece of cutlery became enormous challenges, but a team of Harvard bioengineers in collaboration with doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital is developing a solution that can restore autonomy to people with ALS.

A wearable and flexible robot that helps recover lost movements, the device works as a vest with sensors and an inflatable robo under the arm, this inflates and deflates according to movement, providing mechanical support when the arm loses strength

A great help for people with this condition.

The difference in the new version is in the use of machine learning that allows the robot to learn the movement patterns of each patient, adjusting in real time the amount of assistance needed. In tests, this system managed to identify shoulder movements with 94% accuracy, reducing by a third the force required to lower the arm. This means that patients achieved greater amplitude of shoulders, elbows and wrists, with less compensatory effort.

The reported experience was more natural, eating, drinking or performing repetitive movements became easier and less tiring. For engineers, the key was combining machine learning models with physics-based models, balancing personalization and stability.

Katie, an ALS patient, participated in the development from the first prototypes and saw her suggestions incorporated into the new versions. She described the experience as unique, “I didn't feel like a lab mouse, but part of the team, they were really committed to me.”

This direct participation of patients was essential to create a functional, comfortable device that adapts to the needs of each individual, the impact can be broad in patients with ACB, the technology can support the rehabilitation process, in degenerative cases such as ALS itself, the device can serve as daily support to preserve independence for as long as possible.

The team's next steps are to make the wearable robot practical for independent home use, allowing more people to regain dignity and autonomy in basic life activities.