The researcher of the Superior Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) Elena Garcia Armada today received the People’s Prize of the European Inventor Award 2022, awarded at a ceremony connected for the European Patent Office (EPO) by its pioneer adaptable exoskeleton.
This device allows children in wheelchairs to walk during rehabilitation sessions and reduces muscle breakdown and medical complications. The engineer from the Automation and Robotics Center (CAR-CSIC-UPM) received the highest number of votes from the public in the search category. This engineer thus receives one of the most important international awards in the field of innovation.
“The public vote for García Armada recognizes the determination, ingenuity and contribution of this exceptional inventor, who has leveraged her experience and expertise in robotics and healthcare technology to improve the lives of many children,” he said. Antonio Campinos, President of the EPO. “His invention allows the experience of walking during rehabilitation sessions for children who would otherwise not be able to do so and offers hope to many awaiting new treatment possibilities.”
This award is a source of pride for me, but also for Spain, because the pediatric exoskeleton is a scientific success resulting from the transfer of knowledge from our country
The CSIC researcher thanked all the people who made it possible for her dream to come true. “This award is a source of pride for me, but also for Spain, because the pediatric exoskeleton is a scientific success resulting from the transfer of knowledge from our country”, she declared. Also, he didn’t want to forget the last Spanish woman who won this award: Margarita Salas. “Recover the testimony of my admired Margaret Chambers makes this recognition something even more special”, he said.
The popular award was presented by the EPO at the ceremony connected of the European Inventor Award 2022. From May 17th to June 21st, the public was invited to vote for their favorite inventor or team of inventors among the 13 finalists.
Robotics at the service of children
While exoskeletons for adults had been around since the 1960s, no one had developed one for children until García Armada began investigating the problem in 2009. There was a clear need for such a device, as young wheelchair users are at risk for spinal deformities, which can ultimately shorten your life.
The Spanish engineer saw that the challenge was greater than simply resizing the robotics to fit a smaller body. As children are often unable to walk due to neurological conditions and have complex symptoms in terms of joint movements, a pediatric exoskeleton needed to be adaptable and adjust its function to the symptoms of a given child.
After focusing on industrial robotics, García Armada shifted his focus to pediatrics and invented a titanium adjustable suit connected to a battery and a network of small motors with sensors, software and machinery. The resulting mechanical joints intelligently adapt to each child’s movement as life progresses. rehabilitation. The exoskeleton allows children in wheelchairs to walk during rehabilitation sessions, reducing muscle breakdown and medical complications, and can also improve mental well-being and sociability.
In 2013, García Armada carried out his first tests with Daniela and also founded the company Bionic Marsi further develop this technology. In 2021, got medical clearance and has since sold devices to hospitals in Spain and Mexico.
