Wouldn't it be nice to combine modern technology with ancient Chinese healing techniques to ease the pain and tension in the body with therapeutic massage? A robotic arm was developed for the same by researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology that imitates human-like TCM massaging techniques. These robotic arms can be helpful in health care and wellness centers, especially for patients who need regular physical therapy.
In developing the robotic arms the researchers collected both dynamic and kinematic data from licensed therapists. They used motion capture system called Optitrack to track how the therapist's hands moved during massages. Additionally, they measured the pressure they applied for different parts of the body with the help of the tool called ZTC-II. Then used these data to train the machine learning algorithms.
These robotic arm consist of many functional modules such as punch, vibration, kneading, and finger modules. In order to make sure that the robotic arm uses the right amount of pressure during the massage and is done in a safe and comfortable way, it uses adaptive admittance control algorithms. This will give the robot more control over how it responds and give massages to make it a more human-like experience.
This latest advancement will provide quality treatment in future with personalized care, paving the way for further innovation and robotic solutions in wellness and healthcare.
