Partners

The SPEXOR consortium is functionally composed of partners with diverse and complementary expertise to maximize the expected scientific and technological benefits of the project.

Jožef Stefan Institute

Principal Investigator: Jan Babič (coordinator)

JSI is the coordinator of the project and responsible for the development of the adaptive control architecture for efficient interaction of the spinal exoskeleton with the human body. JSI takes part in the project through the Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics.

Heidelberg University

Principal Investigator: Katja Mombaur

UHEI is responsible for modeling and optimization of the interaction of spinal exoskeleton with the human body. UHEI takes part in the project through the Optimization in Robotics and Biomechanics Group.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Principal Investigator: Dirk Lefeber

VUB is responsible for the electromechanical design and the development of the spinal exoskeleton. VUB takes part in the project through the Robotics and MultiBody Mechanics Research Group.

VU University Amsterdam

Principal Investigator: Jaap van Dieën

VUA is responsible for determining the robot-centred requirements for low-back pain prevention using spinal exoskeleton technology. VUA takes part in the project through the MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam.

Otto Bock Healthcare GmbH

Principal Investigator: Bernhard Graimann

OBG is responsible for the development of the musculoskeletal stress monitoring for objective assessment of neuromuscular trunk functions.

Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH

Principal Investigator: Michael Russold

OBA is responsible for the development of a novel hydraulic actuation system for the spinal exoskeleton that will be energy efficient, quiet and lightweight.

S2P Science To Practice d.o.o.

Principal Investigator: Nejc Šarabon

S2P is responsible for the end-user evaluation of functional effects, usability and satisfaction of the spinal exoskeleton in the scope of low-back pain prevention at working environment. S2P takes part in the project through the Laboratory for Motor Control and Motor Behaviour.

Heliomare

Principal Investigators: Han Houdijk & Coen van Bennekom

HEL is responsible for the end-user evaluation of functional effects, usability and satisfaction of the spinal exoskeleton in the scope of low-back pain treatment during the vocational reintegration process.

External Collaborators

University of Wollongong

Manish Sreenivasa

At UOW, Manish works on topics related to human movement modeling and human-robot interaction. His collaboration with SPEXOR project continues from his previous association (until May 2018) with the Optimization in Robotics and Biomechanics Group at UHEI.​

Meetings

Conclusion of Spexor

Meeting at Heliomare

Review meeting in Brussels

Meeting in Koper

Meeting in Vienna

Review meeting in Amsterdam

Meeting in Heidelberg

Requirements Workshop

Kick-off meeting