This book describes a comprehensive research project in which different devices for rehabilitation, assistance, and haptic applications are designed and developed. The fil-rouge is the user-centered perspective, that has been employed in all the design and development phases, and the exploitation of soft robotics solutions allowing for a safe and comfortable interaction with the user. Extensive information concerning the design, the practical application and the assessment of various assistive devices for upper limb are included throughout the book, which also offers an up-to-date reference guide for dealing with future interdisciplinary research projects involving soft robotics and user-centered perspectives for enhancing robotic assistance capabilities

Nominated as an outstanding PhD thesis by the University of Siena, Italy Describes in detail the design and development of novel assistive devices Merges concepts from haptics, assistive robotics and user-centred design

Inhalt

.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Hand/Wrist Exoskeleton.- 3 Design of Haptic Devices for Rehabilitive/Assistive Applications.- 4 Assistive Robotic Gripper Devices.- 5 Conclusions.