In the Lab of The BioRobotics Institute: interview with Dr. Giovanna De Luca

For our AINCP people series, in this article we interview Dr. Giovanna De Luca, researcher from Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, Italy.

You will discover the important contribution of this Partner for the development of innovative non-invasive technologies that measure hand movements.

Thank you, Giovanna, for this interview. Let’s start from you: can you tell our readers more about your study background, current role and the team you are working with?

My name is Giovanna De Luca, and I am a Biomedical engineer currently in my third year as PhD candidate at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, Italy. I am part of the Soft Mechatronics for BioRobotics Laboratory within the BioRobotics Institute at Sant'Anna.

What is your research field and your involvement with the AINCP project?

My research focuses on developing and applying technologies for monitoring during upper limb telerehabilitation, specifically targeting hand rehabilitation. I am actively involved in the AINCP project, where, alongside Dr. Martina Maselli and Prof. Matteo Cianchetti, we are developing technologies that will be integrated into the AINCP platform. We are developing sensorized objects to monitor how children interact with them during Action Observation Therapy (AOT) exercises. In addition, we are working on a hand-tracking system to capture hand kinematics without requiring the child to wear any device on his hands. This approach allows clinicians to gather essential movement data in a completely non-invasive manner, making monitoring during the rehabilitation program more comfortable and enjoyable for young patients.

Can you explain more about AINCP sensors and their characteristics?

For the AINCP project, we are realizing, in collaboration with another laboratory at the Biorobotics Institute, LAMPSe | Greco Group Graz – LAMPSe | Greco Group Graz, pressure sensors to be placed on objects to monitor the child’s interaction with them. The main features of our sensors include their flexibility, allowing them to conform to the surface of objects, their thinness, making them imperceptible to the touch, and their limitless design possibilities, enabling adaptation in both shape and size based on the characteristics of the object. Moreover, the sensors have a simple and cost-effective manufacturing process opening the path to a more economically sustainable rehabilitation, accessible to everybody. This work was presented in July 2024 at the EMBC 2024 conference [46th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society] and will be published soon.

Thank you for this anticipation! Now, we are eager to know more about related research fields at the BioRobotics Institute, what would you highlight?

The BioRobotics Institute conducts research across various fields within robotics and bionics, including medical robotics, wearable technologies, collaborative robotics, bio-inspired robotics, neural engineering, rehabilitation robotics, and implantable technologies.

Our laboratory focuses on Soft Robotics, which, unlike traditional robotics, uses materials such as silicone, elastomers, and fabrics to create mechatronic components and robots. We are involved in numerous active projects spanning a wide range of applications, not only in the field of rehabilitation but also in the development and simulation of artificial organs, industrial applications, and marine exploration.

Would like to add something about your personal motivation in scientific research?

I love research because it allows me to work on innovative projects that have a real impact on society.

It’s wonderful to think that my work on AINCP could help to make rehabilitation therapy more accessible and less invasive, offering children more comfortable and effective treatment to help improve their quality of life.