# 228. Harvard’s Soft Robot Gives Movement Back to ALS & Stroke Patients

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2025-09-09
- Length: 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-09-09-228-harvards-soft-robot-gives-movement-back-to-als-stroke-patients
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/228-harvards-soft-robot-gives-movement-back-to-als-stroke-patients-mlvJUaQ9

## Summary

The hosts discuss a wearable soft robotic sling developed by Harvard’s Walsh Biodesign Lab to assist ALS and stroke patients with shoulder and arm mobility. The device uses a personalized intention detector model and a hysteresis physics model to provide just enough pneumatic support for natural movement, avoiding the over-assistance of previous rigid exoskeletons. Patient Kate Nicks, who has ALS, reported regaining the ability to perform daily tasks like combing her hair using her dominant right arm after years of relying on her left.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-09-09-228-harvards-soft-robot-gives-movement-back-to-als-stroke-patients#t=0) Introduction and Sponsor: Wearable Robotics for Parkinson's
- [2:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-09-09-228-harvards-soft-robot-gives-movement-back-to-als-stroke-patients#t=167) Harvard's Soft Robotic Sling for ALS and Stroke Patients
- [4:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-09-09-228-harvards-soft-robot-gives-movement-back-to-als-stroke-patients#t=293) Evolution from Over-Support to Minimal Assistance
- [6:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-09-09-228-harvards-soft-robot-gives-movement-back-to-als-stroke-patients#t=391) Intention Detector and Hysteresis Models
- [12:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-09-09-228-harvards-soft-robot-gives-movement-back-to-als-stroke-patients#t=728) Patient Case Study: Kate Nicks and Quality of Life

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Walsh Biodesign Lab (company)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 96: Soft robots in medicine and healthcare - Maria Elena Giannaccini](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-01-episode-96-soft-robots-in-medicine-and-healthcare-maria-elena-giannaccini) (Robot Talk)
- [Jeremiah Robison from Cionic creates bionic clothing to help patients walk better](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-06-10-jeremiah-robison-from-cionic-creates-bionic-clothing-to-help-patients-walk-bette) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Episode 67: Wearable soft robots - Kris Dorsey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-01-05-episode-67-wearable-soft-robots-kris-dorsey) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 161: Collaborative haptic systems - Allison Okamura](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-19-episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 90: Robotically Augmented People - Robot Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-21-episode-90-robotically-augmented-people-robot-talk-live) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

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