This article was taken from the October 2011 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
This robotic glove is not hand-operated -- it operates your hand. Developed by Italian engineering consortium Idrogenet, in collaboration with the University of Brescia in Lombardy, the Gloreha glove is designed for use as a physiotherapy aid to return movement to hands impaired by an accident or a stroke.
A series of pneumatic cylinders running along the back of the glove and down each digit allows it to move fingers individually and together to recreate pointing, grasping, counting and opening and closing motions.
Electronic sensors linked to software allow the patient to see a virtual hand showing the movement on a computer screen, and to program further assisted exercise routines. The software logs session duration and achievements, and can adjust the next round of therapy accordingly. The glove is lightweight and its creators claim it can be set up in minutes by the patient, reducing the need for direct supervision by a therapist.
Gloreha has been tested on 40 patients -- its creators' goal is to get the device recognised by the Italian health service, so that more patients can benefit. Handy.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
