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ItalianoAnother piece of good news at the MCI: Simon Deiser, a graduate of the MCI bachelor's degree programme in Mechatronics, has just been awarded the prestigious sponsorship prize of the Association of Private Universities 2021 on the topic of Innovation in Business & Society. His bachelor thesis entitled "Low cost splint with haptic feedback as a training and assessment device to improve deflection of upper limb" was awarded first place and 5,000 euros in prize money to finance further studies and research.
In the course of his bachelor's thesis, Simon Deiser developed a robot-assisted rehabilitation system that helps patients regain their motor and sensory functions of the upper limbs: "In principle, it works like an 'exoskeleton'. The device is directly connected to the arm and registers the smallest stimuli to initiate and support the movement of the arm. Moreover, it can be easily controlled with a smartphone." Yeongmi Kim, supervisor of the work and professor in mechatronics at MCI, adds, "While most rehab sessions focus on training motor function, the device provides sensory training by giving kinetic and tactile feedback during motor exercises."
The prototype was completed after a year of intensive work and development. The biggest challenge was to develop the device in such a way that it is light and portable on the one hand, but on the other hand can apply enough force to lift the forearm. Deiser is optimistic about its future use in the medical field, especially in rehabilitation after strokes: "Some development work will have to go into this, but it definitely has great potential for commercial use."
Andreas Mehrle, head of the MCI Department of Mechatronics, emphasises, "Mr. Deiser is an outstanding student, and there are always graduates who take the path to independence with the topic of their thesis. I am pleased that technical departments are also taking up the entrepreneurial spirit of the MCI in a special way and putting it into practice."
Deiser is currently studying for a Master's degree in Mechatronics & Smart Technologies at the MCI and is working on his Master's thesis, which is also in the field of rehabilitation technology. This time the focus is on motor and sensory functions of hands and fingers.
About the VPH Award
The Berlin-based Association of Private Universities (VPH) has been promoting the interests of private universities and their students since its foundation in 2004. The renowned sponsorship prize is awarded annually among the member universities and rewards the best Bachelor's theses of the year within the framework of changing themes.