RISE:2013 highlights: Kinect rehab, Lego lobsters, 3D printed tech and more

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="copy post-body" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><div class="image-container" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="RISE2013 hightlights Kinect rehab, Lego lobsters, 3D printed embedded tech and more" data-src-height="348" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/rise20132011-12-2521-37-35600-1363975328.jpg" /></div>We were excited and honored when the administration at Northeastern University asked us to help judge its RISE:2013 Research, Innovation and Scholarship Expo. The event, held at the physical education center on the school's Boston campus, brings together an incredibly diverse array of research projects covering a impressive number of fields, including physical and life sciences, engineering, humanities, arts & design, computer and information sciences, health sciences, law, business and social sciences.<br />As you might imagine, scoring works across such a diverse array of concentrations is no easy task. We did, however, manage to pull out a handful of projects that will no doubt be of particular interest to our own readership. The list includes the use of a Kinect camera and PC for physical rehabilitation, the 3D printing of embedded electrical technologies, a Lego set that helps bridge the gap between crustacean and robot and a device that employs an Arduino board and video games to help stroke victims recover motor skills. Check out a video of all of the above just after the break.<br /><iframe frameborder="0" height="349" id="viddler-7a0c2574" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="//www.viddler.com/embed/7a0c2574/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=69706227&disablebranding=0&view_secret=69706227" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="545"></iframe> <br /><div class="image-container" style="text-align: center;"></div>Physical rehabilitation was the focus of many of the in-house projects, each taking a decidedly different approach to getting patients back on their feet. Two projects in particular lept out at us. First up was the Virtual Rehabilitation System, presented by Meghan Huber, a student we had spoken with during our last visit to the school. The project utilizes Mathworks' MATLAB software and a Microsoft Kinect camera to capture real-time data for rehabilitation analysis. Unlike standard systems, this setup is affordable enough for home usage -- it also collects data on a wider range of motion, making it adaptable for different needs.<br /><div class="image-container" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="RISE2013 hightlights Kinect rehab, Lego lobsters, 3D printed embedded tech and more" data-src-height="348" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/rise20132011-12-2521-29-50600.jpg" /></div>The Navigator, meanwhile, is an Arduino-based desktop system that monitors hand movements with a pivoting, squeezable handle. The system will be tied to customized games to reward the patient and help stave off boredom. Another project utilized an off-the-shelf Lego system built to resemble a lobster. Comparing its habits to its real world analog, researchers can learn something about the behavior of the animal and can further the robot to mimic real-world biology. 3-Spark's project, meanwhile, is looking to 3D print embedded electronics, using technology similar to consumer-facing extrusion units to print circuitry directly into ABS plastic molds. The result is a single unit with conductive electrical properties.</div></div>

RISE:2013 highlights: Kinect rehab, Lego lobsters, 3D printed tech and more

We were excited and honored when the administration at Northeastern University asked us to help judge its RISE:2013 Research, Innovation an...

مزيد من المعلومات »