New Challenges and Trends in Rehabilitation Devices based on AI and Optimization

The use of AI and optimization algorithms in rehabilitation devices has increased radically in the last decade, allowing researchers to propose different approaches in their design and development. This tendency has become even more relevant in applications where only cosmetic devices are used, aiming to improve the lives of those with disabilities. It is sought that the functional device not only reaches the user's expectations in terms of movement, conformation, appearance, comfort and weight, but also that, the production process becomes more affordable for the general population considering these devices are tailored made. Here, AI and optimization algorithms play a relevant role since they allow the autonomous estimation of the various aforementioned characteristics.

This Research Topic aims to create a collection of papers that summarize novel approaches in different aspects that relate to rehabilitation devices possessing AI and optimization algorithms, such as improving the design of existing devices and boosting their ability to classify biopotential for implementation in prosthesis, orthosis, exoskeleton and assistive robotics. Methods to simplify the user's transition to employing their assistive devices are also important (such as wearable technologies that assist disability and movement analysis). This is not only limited to users with mobility aids, but also in assistive devices in sports and in their implementation for the design of new rehabilitation devices and virtual rehabilitation.

The expected topics for this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
• Robotics and Control Systems applied to rehabilitation devices
• Biomedical signal processing and analysis (e.g. EEG, EMG and ECG classification)
• Virtual/Remote rehabilitation (e.g. home-based systems for rehabilitation)
• Novel design techniques for rehabilitation devices (e.g. application of advanced design and rapid
• prototyping techniques in rehabilitation)
• Modelling of 3D medical images (e.g. 3D reconstruction of residual limb)
• Wearable devices for biometrics acquisition (e.g. smartwatches data acquisition and processing)
• Movement analysis (e.g. gait analysis)
• Mobility aids (e.g. wheelchairs)
• Orthosis, prosthesis or exoskeleton devices (e.g. knee prosthesis)
• Specialized sports assistive technology (e.g. athletic wheelchairs)