Hardware Podcasts

168. Neuroprosthetics: The Next Step Towards Limb Reconstruction

The Next Byte Podcast · 2 Apr 2024 · 19m

What this episode covers

Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss research from ETH Zurich on bio-inspired neuroprosthetics, which aims to replicate natural nervous system signals rather than using arbitrary computer-based pulses. The team developed a computer model called Footsim to map how real feet communicate with the brain under various stimuli, validating the model through experiments on cats and human trials. The hosts highlight that this biomimetic approach significantly improves user experience, allowing for better multitasking and reduced sensory overload compared to current state-of-the-art devices.

Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
ETH Zurich
Tools
Footsim

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • EE Times Current · 45m

    Bio-Inspired Networks to Interface with Nervous System

    Dr. Elisa Donati of the Institute of Neuroinformatics in Zurich discusses using neuromorphic circuits to create closed-loop interfaces with the peripheral nervous system for prosthetics and drug delivery. She explains her design of analog mixed-signal chips based on Hodgkin-Huxley models to mimic biological neurons, aiming to bypass digital spike encoding for more natural communication. Professor Ralph Etienne-Cummings of Johns Hopkins University joins to discuss the history of central pattern generators (CPGs) in robotics, the challenges of long-term nerve interface stability, and the complexity of encoding sensory feedback like pain.

    Analog & power electronicsMicrocontrollers & dev platforms
    7 chapters

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 03m

    Jeremiah Robison from Cionic creates bionic clothing to help patients walk better

    Jeremiah Robison, founder and CEO of Psionic, explains how his daughter’s cerebral palsy diagnosis inspired the creation of the Psionic Neurosleeve, a bionic garment that uses functional electrical stimulation (FES) and surface EMG sensors to augment walking for patients with mobility impairments. Robison details the engineering challenges of replacing bulky exoskeleton motors with a non-invasive, wearable system that reads neural intent and delivers real-time stimulation to four major leg muscle groups. He discusses the company's journey from garage-based prototyping to receiving FDA clearance and selling out its initial founders program, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of reinforcing neural pathways rather than just providing passive assistance.

    Medical & health devicesPrototyping & iteration
    7 chapters

  • EE Times Current · 45m

    Perceiving Touch With Event-Based Neuromorphic Computing

    Dr. Simeon Bamford, a senior researcher at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), discusses his work on neuromorphic tactile sensors and bio-inspired circuits. He details the commercialization of dynamic vision sensors (DVS) through the startup Inilabs and Innovation, and his PhD research on the Rena chip, which emulates cerebellar learning to replace brain functions damaged by stroke. The episode also features a discussion with Prof. Ralph Etienne-Cummings of Johns Hopkins University about the system-level challenges and biological parallels of these technologies.

    Mechanical engineeringChips, FPGAs & semiconductors
    7 chapters

  • EE Times Current · 39m

    Understanding Real Brains with Robotic Rats, and Vice Versa

    Dr. Mitra Hartmann, a professor at Northwestern University, explains how modeling rat whisker mechanics and neural processing informs both neuroscience and neuromorphic engineering. She details the development of a 3D physics-based simulation and soft robot to study how rats localize objects through whisker bending and skin stretch, addressing the challenge of closed-loop sensorimotor control. Hosts Julia D’Angelo and Ralph Etienne-Cummings discuss how these embodied systems validate circuit hypotheses and highlight the reciprocal benefits of neuromorphic hardware, such as Reed Harrison’s neural recording chips, for advancing biological research.

    Mechanical engineeringAI & machine learning
    7 chapters

  • Robot Talk · 51m

    Episode 90: Robotically Augmented People - Robot Talk Live

    Milia Hasbani of Imperial College London, Benjamin Metcalfe of the University of Bath, and Dani Clode of Cambridge University discuss robotic prosthetics and human augmentation. Hasbani explains her active prosthetic arm research using EMG and computer vision to select grasp types, while Metcalfe details a hybrid exoskeleton combining robotic support with functional electrical stimulation for rehabilitation. Clode presents her 'Third Thumb' and the Alternative Limb Project, exploring neuroplasticity, embodiment, and the ethical implications of augmenting able bodies.

    Medical & health devicesSensors & measurement in products
    10 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Next Byte Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.