Relaxing massage from steel hands from Shanghai

      Scientists from Shanghai have developed a robotic system that replicates massage techniques used in traditional Chinese medicine. The novelty can be used in health care facilities, rehabilitation centers and other places to help patients experiencing pain or discomfort. The robot consists of two mechanical arms, each equipped with a massage hand that resembles a human hand in shape and size. These arms can perform a wide range of movements, accurately mimicking the actions of professional massage therapists. The device supports four modes of operation, each of which reproduces certain Chinese massage techniques. It mimics palm strikes, muscle warm-up, finger techniques and vibration.Image: arxiv.org To create the robot, the researchers used the Optitrack motion capture system and the ZTC-II measuring device to capture the movements and force used by professional masseurs. They then trained algorithms, and the resulting data formed the basis of a control system that provides accurate reproduction of massage techniques.To make the robot adjust its movements depending on the patient's posture, different muscle stiffness, they provided a mechanism for adaptation to the patient.The researchers believe that in the future the robot can be improved and adapted for use in medical institutions and at home. They also plan to study user reactions to optimize its design and functionality. In addition, this work opens new avenues for the development of other automated massage systems focused on relaxation, recovery or medical therapy, which will integrate traditional methods with modern technology. Original article Read also How to ensure business continuity in an era of uncertainty? Unfortunate errors and IT infrastructure failures can be very costly to an enterprise and even threaten its existence. But let's be honest: failures are inevitable and impossible to predict, IT-World explains how cloud solutions help ensure business continuity and what to consider when implementing them.