Aging and illness in humans are accompanied by decline in motor and cognitive functions, causing difficulties in daily life and communication and often leading to anxiety and depression. Human-collaborative robots that can interpret the intentions of humans promise to mitigate these issues and enhance independence.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed an innovative human-collaborative robot that operates in a cybernics space, seamlessly bridging the physical space and cyberspace. Using multimodal vital information reflecting the intentions of humans, the robot can be operated with an arm hand system and an IoT system, supporting daily life activities without physical or spatial limitations.
The researchers have introduced a technology that empowers patients with intractable neurological diseases and enables elderly users to perform daily tasks without physical movement. In cybernics space, the transition zone between physical space and cyberspace, the robot can effortlessly switch among three modes of human-robot interactions using bioelectrical signals and gaze information that reflect the user’s intentions.
This capability allows the robot to operate in physical space and cyberspace, managing arm hand systems and IoT devices. The work is published in Frontiers in Robotics and AI.
During verification experiments of its basic performance, the robot completed the daily movements expected in living environments with a high success rate and a satisfactory level of usability. By enhancing the independence of individuals through motor intention, this technology is anticipated to significantly reduce the burden of nursing care and medical costs.
More information:
Akira Uehara et al, Development of human-collaborative robots to perform daily tasks based on multimodal vital information with cybernics space, Frontiers in Robotics and AI (2025). DOI: 10.3389/frobt.2025.1462243
University of Tsukuba
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Human-collaborative robot operates in cybernics space for daily support (2025, March 27)
retrieved 27 March 2025
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