Whether in assembly, remote manipulation, the service robotics field or medical therapy, there are many conceivable application areas for the ExoHand. The pneumatic exoskeleton is pulled on like a glove, supports the human hand from outside and thus improves its strength and stamina.
Despite the high degree of automation, there are still many assembly activities in industry that can only be carried out by humans. This often results in monotonous and tiring movements that are constantly repeated. Such activities become challenging for older employees in particular. The ExoHand takes the strain off the user and could thus improve ergonomics in the workplace of the future.
In combination with a brain–computer interface (BCI), the ExoHand can be used as an active artificial hand to help stroke patients with symptoms of paralysis to renew the missing connection between brain and hand. For this purpose, an electroencephalography (EEG) signal measured at the head detects the patient’s desire to open or close the hand.