COBOTS IMPLEMENTATION IN REHABILITATION PROCESS

Purpose – The aim of the presented research is about the needs identification for implementing rehabilitation robotics and some requirements for an effective implementation. Methodology/approach – Through an initial bibliographic study, conducted by interrogation specialized, but accessible, databases to find the most considered robotic systems dedicated for rehabilitation, leading to an adequate centralized synthesis. Findings – The considered result shows that most applied upper limb rehabilitation robots, implemented in clinics, but used mostly in clinical studies. Furthermore, was identified that the type of clinical used training mode is dedicated to the predominant employed joint. The components dedicate to the data analysis, the ones used by the robot and the ones used within robot assisted rehabilitation applications, were also processed for a centralized overview. Research limitations/implications – At this stage, the conducted research implies only data available in English, German and Romanian languages, with the examples from these languages covering area. Practical implications – The practical use of research refers to the identification of a possible practical approach for implementing new robotic systems for assisted rehabilitation within specialized clinics and then to increase the number and the quality of the robotic rehabilitation procedures. Originality/value – The up to now original funding shows that robotic therapy may benefit from more date that displays reasons that facilitates the rise of the robotic rehabilitation usage, and the new addressability based on the increase in neurologic burden in parallel with the decreased number of qualified personnel/1000 patients. At the same time, the paper tackled partially the technological developments, financial dimension and administrative issues that are hindering a larger implementation.