Emotional Engineering Design of Modular Products for Improving Biomedical Manufacturing Competitiveness
DFX, Integrated Product Development, Concurrent Synthesis
Prof. Dr. Ing. Jonathan C. Borg
Gabriel Cassar, Arwin Kouhestani
N/A
Internal Research Grant
This project is concerned with developing a modular prosthetic hand that improves provides sufficient degrees of freedom for daily tasks, improving the emotional aspects of the prosthesis solution whilst keeping the overall prosthesis device cost around Eur 500. This research thus explores how modularity can be synthesized by distinguishing between generic parts and parts that need to be patient-specific. In addition, the project aims to explore the design of a set of modular, auxiliary attachments that allow users to engage in daily tasks at a minimum cost. From a scientific perspective, the knowledge acquired in arriving at these evolving Hand Systems will be captured and systematized in the form of ‘design guidelines’ that can be exploited by biomedical manufacturing firms, interested in providing high value added 3D printed products. The project has been supported by a number of University internal research grants.
N/A
Development of a Novel Device to Support Children with Language Impairment in a Bilingual Context
Toy Design, Design for Multi-X
Prof. Ing. Philip Farrugia
Prof. Ing. Simon Fabri, Prof. Helen Grech, Dr Daniela Gatt, Dr Owen Casha, Emanuel Balzan, Lorridana Buttigieg, Louisa Frendo Wirth
Partners
Flying Squirrel Games Ltd
MCST TDP 2015 Project No. R&I-2015-042-T
Language impairment (LI) in children is often attributed to various factors including intellectual disability, autism and hearing loss. Children with LI are often faced with social communication, behavioural, educational and vocational difficulties. Although bilingualism does not cause LI, such disorders can be complicated when children have bilingual or multilingual exposure, which is a common occurrence worldwide. This has particular relevance to the language-learning context of Maltese children. LI in children can often be addressed by a customised intervention programme drawn up by a professional speech-language pathologist (SLP) on the basis of assessment and regular review of the child's speech and language skills. However, children often lose engagement when subjected to repetitive therapy activities and lengthy assessment procedures. This impinges on the effectiveness of intervention. Moreover, speech-language sessions offered in the public health clinics often take place during school hours disrupting children’s routine. Within this context, the project’s goal is to develop a novel, multi-modal device, nicknamed Olly Speaks, to facilitate language therapy for children with LI both within and beyond the clinical setting. The project has been carried out between July '16 and August 2019 with a funding level of Eur 194,460.
www.um.edu.mt/projects/speechie/
Design of a Modular, Functional & Aesthetically Pleasing Below-Knee Prosthesis
High-Value Added Manufacturing, Design for Multi-X, Biomedical Devices
Prof. Dr. Ing. Jonathan C. BORG
Matthew Pace
Internal Research Grant
The BELOW KNEE project was a seed funded project related to foot prosthesis. Its primary aim was to explore the conceptual design and development of a below the knee prosthesis (BKP) that was emotionally pleasing yet relatively cheap to produce. The solution devised differentiates between generic and patient specific parts and focused on a range to daily tasks only, to result in a modular solution that can be rapidly and cheaply developed for a range of amputees. The project has been supported by a University internal research grant.
N.A
Development of a Low Cost Product-Service System for a Smart & Modular, Emotionally Pleasing Above Knee Prosthesis
High-Value Added Manufacturing, Design for Multi-X, Biomedical Devices, Micro & Digital Manufacturing
Prof. Dr. Ing. Jonathan C. Borg
Dr Ing. Emmanuel Francalanza, Dr Ing. Joseph P. Zammit, Dr Ing. Pierre Vella, Prof. Alfred Gatt, Nicholas Patiniott
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kristin Paetzold, University of the German Federal Armed Forces Munich
UM TRAKE
The PREMIER project will perform research aimed at developing a smart, modular and emotionally pleasing above the knee prosthesis (AKP) to be offered as a low cost ‘Product-Service System (PSS)’. The concept of exploiting the PSS model is that it will enable a AKP to be developed for specific patients faster, should enable the realization costs to be lower and will also allow the service-provider to smartly capture data from the AKP that can help it improve the service it offers. The novelty of the project is that it will result in an original AKP that whilst being able to provide the user with sufficient degrees of freedom at both the ankle and knee, for daily tasks, it will be customised to patient needs, relatively cheap to acquire via a PSS and also emotionally pleasing. The 36 month project has commenced in March 2021 and is funded by the University at a funding level of Eur 60K.
NA.
Rider-Centred Product+Service System for Designing Safer Motorcycles
Design for Multi-X, Vehicles, User-Centred Design
Prof. Ing. Philip Farrugia (UM)
Prof. Ing. Simon Fabri, Ing. Sean Agius, Daniel Cassar
WKD Works ltd.
MCST TDP 2018 Project No. R&I-2017-003-T
In this project, a User-Centred Design (UCD) approach is adopted, which places product users at the centre of the design process. Motivated by the alarming increase in motorcycle fatalities in Malta, this proposal is inspired by a UCD to develop safer motorcycles. A novel motorcycle jig immersed in a Virtual Reality environment will be developed and used to capture rider’s postures. The project runs between Sep '18 to Sep '21 with a funding level of Eur 194,460.
Personalised Recovery Through A Multi-User Environment: Virtual Reality For Rehabilitation
Design of Biomedical Devices, Design for Multi-X, VR
Prof. Ing. Philip Farrugia (UM)
Prof. Ing. Glenn Cassar, Dr Ing. Pierre Vella, Dr Maria Victoria Gauchi, Ing. Emanuel Balzan, Ing. Edward Abela
Various - see project webpage
H2020-ICT-2018-2020 Project No. 856998
Virtual Reality (VR) technology has existed for over thirty years, but in the recent years it gained popularity in various sectors. The idea behind the project is that instead of using an off-the-shelf device to play a serious game, one can use a VR device which is purposely designed according to the person’s needs for rehabilitation purposes. The tailor-made wearable device is being developed specifically for each of three target users, namely persons who suffered a sports injury, post-stroke patients and children with dystonia. It is anticipated that through VR-based rehabilitation, there will be a reduction in the duration of the therapy programme. Furthermore, it is envisaged that such a technological approach will engage users more in the therapy, compared to the current traditional clinical practices. This project is coordinated by the University of Pisa and runs from October 2019 to September 2022 with a total funding level of Eur 4M.
