From the Heart of Biomedical Engineering: An Innovation Restoring Hope for Mobility and Shaping the Future of Smart Rehabilitation
University Media
In a display of academic excellence and the spirit of engineering innovation at the Emirates International University, students from the Biomedical Engineering Department presented a groundbreaking graduation project: “Design and Development of an Intelligent Robotic System for Mobility Improvement and Rehabilitation.” This advanced scientific achievement reflects the university's students' ability to translate academic knowledge into practical solutions that benefit humanity and society.
The project was developed by a select group of students from the department: Mohammed Saleh Hadi, Mohammed Najib Qattabish, Ibrahim Saleh Al-Tairi, Mahmoud Nadim Al-Samet, Mohammed Abdo Al-Hashar, Mohammed Hussein Al-Hajj, and Uday Hilal Al-Mushiri, under the supervision of Professor Dr. Mushtaq Al-Azazi.
The discussion committee consisted of Professor Dr. Mohammed Al-Alfi and Professor Dr. Mushtaq Al-Azazi, in the presence of the Vice President of the University, Dr. Ahmed Al-Baadani, and the Dean of the College, Professor Dr. Ibrahim Fara’a, underscoring the university's strong commitment to applied projects and high-quality student innovations.
The project represents an advanced model for integrating biomedical engineering and artificial intelligence. The team successfully designed and implemented a smart system combining an electric wheelchair and a rehabilitation walker on a single platform, aiming to assist patients with mobility impairments and support rehabilitation processes in more efficient and independent ways.
The system relies on a robust mechanical structure designed to withstand varying weights and provide stability during rehabilitation sessions. It also incorporates advanced electric motors and ESP32 microcontrollers with high processing power and wireless connectivity, enabling several intelligent operating modes. These include control via tablet, joystick, and a rehabilitation walker mode using infrared sensors.
The students also developed a graphical control interface using Java to facilitate wireless system control. Smart sensors track patient movement and synchronize the wheelchair's movement with their steps during rehabilitation exercises. The system also counts steps and stores rehabilitation data for medical follow-up and continuous monitoring.
To enhance performance, lithium batteries were used, giving the system extended operating time and stable movement over longer distances. This contributes to a safer and more comfortable experience for patients and reduces the need for continuous intervention from therapists during rehabilitation sessions.
Practical tests demonstrated the system's success in performing various operating modes and rehabilitation functions. Some technical challenges related to synchronizing movement during directional changes were identified, which the team considered an important step towards developing more advanced versions in the future using intelligent control algorithms, artificial intelligence technologies, and more sophisticated medical monitoring systems.
This project reflects the advanced level achieved by students at Emirates International University and their ability to produce innovative engineering solutions with a human and societal impact. It takes place within a modern academic environment that focuses on applied education, scientific research, and developing a workforce capable of competing and innovating in various technical and medical fields.
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