Robotic Arms: Amii and BLINC team up to improve quality of life after limb loss

Transformation starts with learning. That’s a slogan tied to the idea of innovation, and what better place to embody this idea than the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii).

Founded in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region in 2002, one of Amii’s focuses is health care. They fund a plethora of health-related research, including the development of improved prosthetic limbs, the creation of new tools to diagnose tuberculosis, and the use of patient data to improve diabetes treatment.

Through these and other projects, the institute uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to improve the lives of people the world over.

Amii’s collaboration with the University of Alberta-based Bionic Limbs for Improved Natural Control (BLINC) Lab on the Adaptive Prosthetics Program uses real-time machine learning methods for assistive rehabilitation and intelligent artificial limbs.

Another centre of innovation, BLINC Lab brings together researchers and clinicians to advance prosthetic care through robotics and machine learning.

Working directly with patients and clinicians, the program developed technologies including the Bento Arm and the HANDi Hand — 2 types of intelligent artificial limbs that use machine learning to help patients regain their full range of motion and ability.

Asking patients to test the technology is critical so real-world tasks can be analyzed to provide relevant solutions outside of a lab.

The work of Amii and BLINC Lab are game-changers for people looking to regain human motion after experiencing limb loss. A forward-thinking and influential organization, they collaborate with other sectors to produce innovations in the health space and beyond.