Companies collaborate with researchers from
Open University of Israel to develop and test wheelchair-mounted
robotic arm with patients at ALYN Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation
Center
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Intel are supporting a neuromorphic
computing research project led by the Neuro-Biomorphic Engineering
Lab (NBEL) at the Open University of Israel in collaboration with
ALYN Hospital, Israel’s leading pediatric and adolescent
rehabilitation center. Funded by Accenture through its
participation in the Intel Neuromorphic Research Community (INRC),
the project is focused on developing and testing a
wheelchair-mounted robotic arm to assist patients with performing
daily tasks.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200819005079/en/
An early prototype of a robotic arm
designed to assist patients with spinal injuries in performing
daily tasks. Using funding and technology support from Accenture,
as well as Intel’s neuromorphic technology, researchers from the
Open University of Israel and ALYN Hospital will refine the device
and clinically evaluate it with pediatric patients. Credit: ALYN
Hospital
Researchers from Accenture Labs and Intel Labs are working with
researchers from Open University of Israel to build a
wheelchair-mounted robotic arm with adaptive controls, using an
algorithm developed by Applied Brain Research (ABR) and Intel’s
neuromorphic computing hardware. Wheelchair users will be able to
independently control the robotic arm to perform daily tasks that
require strength and dexterity of arms and hands, such as drinking
from a glass, with 50% fewer errors and a 48% improvement in energy
efficiency over traditional control methods. The device will
undergo clinical testing and evaluation with patients at ALYN
Hospital who rely on electric wheelchairs and have motor impairment
of their upper extremities.
Studies suggest that wheelchair-mounted robotic arms provide an
increased sense of independence for users, and that these assistive
tools can reduce the need for caregiver time by up to 41 percent.
Today, however, the cost of these devices is incredibly high,
making them inaccessible to many people who need them.
“The ability of robotic arms to benefit people today is largely
limited due to high cost and excessive power consumption,” said
Elishai Ezra Tsur, lead project researcher at the Open University
of Israel. “This funding from Accenture, along with additional
support from Intel and ABR, is allowing us to explore the
implementation of adaptive controls on neuromorphic hardware in an
effort to address the need for a collaborative, user-friendly,
accurate robotic arm at a significantly reduced cost.”
The real-time learning capability of Intel’s neuromorphic
research chip, Loihi, shows potential to reduce the cost of
creating and operating assistive devices. By utilizing Loihi’s
real-time learning, researchers predict they can implement adaptive
control to enhance the arm's functionality, while using affordable
parts that could reduce the cost by more than 10x. Because Loihi is
up to 1,000 times more energy efficient than general purpose
processors, a Loihi-based device could require less frequent
charging, making it more ideal for use in daily life.
“We believe that the development of a robotic arm based on
neuromorphic computing can be a game-changer for people with
disabilities,” said Arie Melamed-Yekel, general manager of
ALYNnovation at ALYN Hospital. “It could make it easier for them to
engage with the community, boost their independence and grant them
new employment opportunities. The expected cost and performance
improvements are potentially disruptive to this market. We are
proud to lead this revolution together with the Open University,
Intel and Accenture.”
Accenture Labs and Intel Labs will leverage their experience in
neuromorphic computing and artificial intelligence to assist the
Open University research team with the development of the
neuromorphic algorithm, as well as provide support for the design
of the study.
Edy Liongosari, Technology Innovation growth and strategy lead
and chief research scientist at Accenture, said, “This research
project is a powerful demonstration of the impact that neuromorphic
computing can have on the development of affordable intelligent
assistive devices. Making these devices accessible, particularly to
such young patients, can have a profound impact on their
independence, improving the way they live. We are looking forward
to teaming closely with the Open University of Israel researchers,
ALYN and Intel, contributing our technical and industry experience
to advance this technology for those who need it the most.”
Mike Davies, director of Intel’s Neuromorphic Computing Lab,
added, “Neuromorphic computing is a natural fit for assistive
technologies, given its low power requirements and ability to learn
and adapt to new situations in real time. Through Intel and
Accenture’s work with the Open University of Israel and ALYN
Hospital, we hope to unlock new capabilities for mobility impaired
children and improve the patients’ quality of life.”
If this project is successful, the research team plans to
explore how to produce the assistive robotic arm for patients, as
well as explore applications of adaptive control technology in
flexible manufacturing and industrial automation.
Intel and Accenture will continue to collaborate to identify and
fund additional neuromorphic research that has the potential to
advance the field.
About Accenture Accenture is a leading global
professional services company, providing a broad range of services
in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations,
with digital capabilities across all of these services. We combine
unmatched experience and specialized capabilities across more than
40 industries — powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced
Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. With 513,000 people
serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture brings
continuous innovation to help clients improve their performance and
create lasting value across their enterprises. Visit us at
www.accenture.com.
About Intel: Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) is an industry leader,
creating world-changing technology that enables global progress and
enriches lives. Inspired by Moore’s Law, we continuously work to
advance the design and manufacturing of semiconductors to help
address our customers’ greatest challenges. By embedding
intelligence in the cloud, network, edge and every kind of
computing device, we unleash the potential of data to transform
business and society for the better. To learn more about Intel’s
innovations, go to newsroom.intel.com and intel.com.
For more context, visit Neuromorphic Computing (Press Kit),
Intel Labs (Press Kit), How Neuromorphic Computing Uses the Human
Brain as a Model (Video)
About NBEL at the Open University of Israel The Open
University of Israel aims to make higher education accessible. By
conducting state-of-the-art research, offering challenging academic
programs, developing advanced distance learning methods, and
reaching out to the geographic and socioeconomic periphery, the
Open University strives to be a leading force for social inclusion
and academic empowerment in Israel, while maintaining excellence in
academic teaching and research. At the Neuro-Biomorphic Engineering
Lab (NBEL) of the Open University, we are innovating at the
intersections of disciplines. We aim to develop the next generation
of nature-inspired computing architectures while utilizing
trans-disciplinary engineering to uncover complex biological
behavior. Visit us at NBEL-lab.com and openu.ac.il/en
About ALYN Hospital and ALYNnovation ALYN Hospital is a
world-leading pediatric and adolescent rehabilitation hospital, and
the only facility of its kind in Israel. With a reputation for a
comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, we proudly treat young
patients of all religions and nationalities. Over nearly 90 years
of experience, we have been driven by resolute professionalism,
dedication to each child, and a standard of excellence and
innovative thinking. To support and encourage the development of
assistive technologies (AT), ALYNnovation was established in 2017
as ALYN Hospital’s innovation track for the development of
pediatric assistive technologies. By combining access to a
state-of-the-art facility and eminent key medical, clinical
therapists and research experts in the field with strong business
acumen and industry networks, ALYNnovation has become the ultimate
R&D partner for growing AT startups. To learn more about ALYN
Hospital and ALYNnovation, visit us at alyn.org, or write us at
innovation@alyn.org.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200819005079/en/
Hannah Unkefer Accenture +1 206 839 2172
hannah.m.unkefer@accenture.com
Alexa Korkos Intel +1 415 706 5783 alexa.korkos@intel.com
Elishai Ezra Tsur Open University of Israel, Neuro-Biomorphic
Engineering Lab +972 50 8785518 elishai@nbel-lab.com
Arie Melamed-Yekel ALYN Hospital and ALYNnovation +972 54 926
6297 ariemy@alyn.org
Accenture (NYSE:ACN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Accenture (NYSE:ACN)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024