giuliacosco

Movaid is a Research Project funded by Horizon 2020 I worked on from the beginning of 2017 to February 2019. It was a project that involved several european partners, and at the time I was working for Michelotti Orthopaedic solutions, to deliver the reserch output on their side. I was in charge of doing research about our user needs, behaviours and touchpoints, and my goal was to transfer these inputs to design a new class of passive exoskeletons.

MovAiD: Personalized Movement Assistive Devices for Enhanced Mobility

MovAiD focuses on the design and development of innovative, personalized Motion Assistive Devices (MADs) aimed at improving mobility and quality of life for three key groups: workers, elderly individuals, and children with neuromuscular disorders. These MADs are designed to compensate for human movements naturally while addressing the specific needs of each group through advanced design and manufacturing techniques.

Key Objectives

To develop highly personalized, passive MADs that adapt to individual biometric data and movement patterns.
To address mobility challenges caused by workplace-related musculoskeletal disorders, age-related functional decline, and neuromuscular pathologies in children.
To contribute to societal well-being by enhancing mobility, safety, and autonomy for target users.

The design process I followed was the Iterative Design Science Research

In this project, I was deeply involved in research, design, and development phases:

User Research & Guidelines: Conducted research to identify user requirements and developed comprehensive design guidelines for personalized solutions.
Design & Development: Implemented advanced generative design approaches, created detailed 3D models, and managed product validation processes to ensure functional and ergonomic excellence.
Scientific Reporting: Generated deliverables, reports, and presentations covering state-of-the-art research, design concepts, user requirements, and product validation.
Manufacturing Analysis: Evaluated manufacturing processes and conducted mechanical tests to compare and refine prototypes.
Visual Content Creation: Designed renderings, graphics, and presentations to effectively communicate the project's outcomes and innovations.

Addressing Societal Challenges

Workplace Safety: MADs promote proper movement, prevent injuries, and improve productivity, addressing the needs of over 40 million EU workers affected by workplace-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Elderly Mobility: With a rapidly aging population, MADs enhance mobility and autonomy, reducing the risk of falls and the demand for caregiving services.
Children with Neuromuscular Disorders: For children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, MADs offer corrective and preventive support, enabling improved motor function, self-confidence, and independence.