The University of Illinois College of Engineering’s innovative work in developing assistive healthcare robots has garnered a globally recognized accolade.

Recently, The Mather Institute recognized a study on developing advanced elderly care robots by presenting it with a Bronze Award at the prestigious 2024 Aging Research Awards. A team led by a researcher from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign explored ways to tailor assistive robots to better serve individuals with mobility impairments, seeking to enhance their quality of life.

Samuel A. In 1993, Olatunji, along with his team, developed a groundbreaking, immersive participatory course, revolutionizing the learning experience. During a comprehensive two-year research project, Henry, a mature individual living with significant cellular disabilities, collaborated with his care partner, an occupational therapist, and an engineer to drive innovation. Throughout their focus on this challenge, the group endeavored to refine the design of an innovative assistive robot, specifically the versatile and adaptive Stretch.

This award honors the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Dr. Samuel A. Citing Olatunji’s efforts to develop innovative approaches enhancing assistive robots, Dr. Cate O’Brien, Senior Vice President of the Mather Institute, emphasized the potential to significantly elevate the quality of life for a broader range of older adults across various skill sets.

“She noted that these findings presented a valuable analysis with actionable insights applicable to the senior living industry.” “We aim for our findings to inspire meaningful enhancements within senior living facilities globally.”

Founded in 1941 as a non-denominational and not-for-profit organization, the Mather Institute has been dedicated to developing effective strategies for aging well since its inception. Based in Evanston, Illinois, the organization provides valuable insights and information on wellness, senior living advancements, and maintenance enhancements. 

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Researchers at University of Illinois discover innovative approach to enhance assistive robots.

Following the deployment of the assistive robotic technology alongside Henry, the research team collected empirical data and conducted in-depth, open-ended interviews to gather qualitative insights. Subsequently, the group scrutinized the collected data to derive informed design recommendations. 

Researchers found that the challenges’ person-centred, goal-oriented approach effectively streamlined tasks and clarified goals related to self-care, productivity, and leisure activities. Henry’s daily task performance exhibited a significant boost in both efficiency (68%) and job satisfaction (72%), as he leveraged the robotic assistance.

Olatunji expressed his gratitude to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for providing a conducive environment that fostered the conduct of applied research. “The interdisciplinary approach pioneered by the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences yields tangible results across campus, fostering a positive impact on our community while addressing the diverse needs of its population.”

During the assessment, Henry collaborated with an occupational therapist to develop tools that enabled Stretch to perform tasks, such as feeding Henry independently, engaging in card games, and providing assistance with household chores. Researchers also identified enablers and barriers to using Stretch in a home environment for individuals with disabilities.

The robotic used in this research, Stretch, was designed and developed by Whats Up Robotic, a company based in Martinez, California. The company unveiled its latest Stretch 3 model in February.

What’s new from Robotic is that their latest innovation has significantly enhanced both the manufacturing process and user experience for their robotic systems, boasting unparalleled levels of efficiency and ease-of-use.