Design of rehabilitation robots using virtual work platforms

The design, implementation and testing of rehabilitation robot like devices is expensive both in time and resources. The use of virtual workspaces based on graphics kinematic-simulation and computer aided design techniques gives qualitatively a design technology in which a full system can be virtually tested and evaluated in advance of actual prototyping. The modelling of the mechanisms plus work environments implies that a virtual test-rig can be built. It allows the preliminary verification of concepts and the generation of useful feedback to designers. The entire cell layout could be changed easily creating complex situations and scenarios. This paper describes the use of virtual work platforms based on kinematic graphics-robotic simulation for the design of novel rehabilitation devices and other aids, as well as the evaluation and personalisation of existing ones. The objective is to present the techniques available for the design of rehabilitation robots using a software-based approach.