The BruBotics research teams have state-of-the-art infrastructure at their disposal to perform research. Some of this infrastructure can be made available upon request:
The VUB AI Experience Centre relies on the idea that successful Artificial Intelligence (AI) can only exist if it is built on collaboration. Benefitting from the backing of leading research groups (Artificial Intelligence Lab, BruBotics, ETRO, and SMIT) in the field, it is supported by a world-class infrastructure creating a space where questions are answered by expertise. The Centre functions as a high-tech test, demonstration, and meeting platform which welcomes companies, policymakers, tech entrepreneurs, researchers, and the general public to experiment with AI and cooperate to develop and produce technological solutions.
It is a physical location where demonstrators show what Robotics and AI are and what impact they can have whilst also showcasing our relevant research in the domain. Companies are welcome to explore the possibilities created by AI and Robotics in dedicated AI Opportunity workshops with the research groups. The space is also available for events.
More information: https://experience-centre.ai/
The Rehabilitation Research group (RERE) has built a new movement analysis lab: the Brubotics Rehabilitation Research Center!
This lab is the result of a longstanding collaboration with different partners of the Brubotics group and will be located centrally between the university hospital UZ Brussel and the VUB Health Campus. In addition, the Rehabilitation Research group has moved to this location
Thanks to FWO Hercules funding, the lab is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment (including 12 Vicon mocap cameras, 3 build-in AMTI force plates, a 16-channel Cometa EMG device and a MetaMax 3B gas analysis system) and an EKSO-GT smart gait rehabilitation exoskeleton.
The new BruBotics Rehabilitation Research Center will enable us to further deepen our expertise in the rehabilitation technology field since our main focus will be positioned on the intersection of movement analysis and technology. For example, the BRRC will be used to test commercial rehabilitation robots, but also rehabilitation robots that are designed by our Brubotics colleagues from the engineering department (e.g. https://www.smarcos.eu/).
We are looking forward to use the lab for our research and start new innovative research projects!
More information via the BruBotics Rehabilitation Research Center webpage: brrc.research.vub.be.
AugmentX is a Flanders Make infrastructure project targeting companies looking for physical augmentation solutions. With physical augmentation solutions, we mean devices that enhance or augment the physical capabilities of a worker, such as smart hoists, ergonomic tables, chairs and tools, cobots, exoskeletons and other peripherals.
Ideally the effect of physical augmentation device should be accurately measured directly in the production line at the company site. However, this is not always easy. For instance, in order to obtain accurate results on forces and torques exerted on the ligaments of a worker, by the load or an augmentation device, the kinematic and dynamic data has to be mimicked and assessed with high accuracy. The required accuracy and controllability of a well-equipped research lab environment is compulsory. To demonstrate and validate the longer-term effects of an augmentation device a more realistic production environment is needed and for some tests, actual onsite measurements although less accurate is the best way forward.
AugmentX aims to create a unique synergy between, on the one hand the AugmentX-Research Lab to objectively assess human augmentation technologies in a controlled environment with high precision measurements and on the other hand the AugmentX-Validation&Demonstration Lab where the human augmentation technologies can be safely but less accurately assessed and improved in a more realistic manufacturing environment. A large part of this measurement equipment is also mobile for in situ measurements at companies.
The BruBotics AugmentX lab will include VICON motion capture system, force plates, EMG and other physiological measurement systems, IMUs and a range of the latest human augmentation technologies such as exoskeletons, cobots, smart hoists and others. It is expected to launch in 2022.
The BruBotics' Human Physiology (MFYS) team has brand new testing and monitoring infrastructure including:
Availability of treadmill, electromagnetically driven static bicycles, ergospirometric devices, ECG
EXG, cognitive tasks, dark and sound insulated room
This infrastructure can be used for sportsmedical consultations, maximal cycle/running tests and training guidelines using respiratory, cardiac responses and peripheral lactate metabolism. The team also provides support to professional cyclists.
The research group INDI is the proud host of the Fablab Brussels, at the U-Square site near the VUB Etterbeek campus.
