Deadline for submission: 15 July 2024

Aims & Scope:

The emergence of wearable devices has catalyzed new topics of research and development, characterized by a keen focus on enhancing technical aspects, especially in the domains of training, performance assessment, and rehabilitation applications. In training, research focuses on optimizing biometric sensors and equipment for precision and comfort combined with advanced algorithms enabling real-time data analysis and personalized training programs. Furthermore, performance assessment sees ongoing transformation, with advanced sensor technology and augmented reality interfaces for predictive models, helping coaches and athletes.

 Additionally, rehabilitation-focused wearables play an important role in monitoring and assisting patients' movements and vital signs. Researchers are harnessing innovations to create efficient and comfortable wearables that facilitate ongoing therapy and monitoring throughout the rehabilitation process. Simultaneously, artificial intelligence tools are being used to interpret device output data in real-time, providing healthcare practitioners with valuable insights to guide evidence-based decision-making and tailored patient care.

This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest research accomplishments, findings, and concepts in the areas of wearable devices, specifically focusing on optimal design, sensor integration, and AI-based approaches for training and rehabilitation purposes.

 This Special Issue will highlight high-quality extended versions of papers that have been accepted for publication in the proceedings of the 8th IFToMM International Symposium on Robotics & Mechatronics (ISRM 2024). Submissions must provide significant added contributions relative to the conference papers.

 

Potential topics include but are not limited to:

• Design of wearable systems
• Applications of wearable devices in rehabilitation
• Human performance assessment
• AI for wearable devices and rehabilitation

 

Keywords: Robotics, Mechatronics, sensors, Biomechanics of Motion, Rehabilitations.

  

Guest Editors:

Professor Lotfi Romdhane

Affiliations: University of Sousse, TN/American University of Sharjah, UAE

Bio: Lotfi Romdhane is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sousse, Tunisia, on leave at the American University of Sharjah, UAE. He has held academic positions at King Saud University, KSA, and the University of Monastir and Sousse, Tunisia. He has also been a visiting professor in France and Poland. His research interests are in robotics, mechanisms, machine design, biomechanics of motion and mechatronics. He has taught several undergraduate and graduate courses in these fields and supervised over 10 PhD students and 30 master's students. Dr. Romdhane is a member of the Technical Committee for Computational Kinematics and Robotics and Mechatronics of the International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanisms and Machines (IFToMM).

Professor Said Zeghloul

Affiliations: CoBRA Team, PPRIME INSTITUTE, University of Poitiers

Bio: Said Zeghloul received the Phd degree in Mechanics in 1983 and Doctor ès Sciences Physics in 1991, from the University of Poitiers, France. He is presently Professor, at the Fundamental and Applied Sciences Faculty of the University of Poitiers.  He is currently Director of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and complex systems, of the Prime institute.

His research interests are in robot design, mechatronics, computer-aided design for robotics, dexterous grasping, humanoid locomotion, and collision free path-planning. Dr. Zeghloul is a member of the Technical Committee for Robotics and Mechatronics and chair of the Member organization France of the International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanisms and Machines (IFToMM).

 

Professor Abdelfattah Mlika

Affiliation: Laboratory of mechanics of sousse, National Engineering Schoof of Sousse, Tunisia

Bio: Pr. Abdelfattah Mlika is a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Sousse, with a PhD from the University of Tunis in 1999 and a University Habilitation in 2012. He served as Director of the LMS laboratory from 2017 to 2020 and is currently the President of the doctoral commission in mechanical engineering at the University of Sousse. He began teaching mechanical design at the university in 1990. Pr. Abdelfattah Mlika has authored a book and co-authored over 20 journal papers in the fields of Theory of Mechanisms, Robotics, and System Engineering. He has supervised six completed doctoral theses and is currently supervising four more. His contributions have left a lasting impact on the field of mechanical engineering

 

Associate Professor Med Amine Laribi

Affiliation: CoBRA Team, PPRIME INSTITUTE, University of Poitiers

Bio: Med Amine LARIBI is an Associate Professor in the Fundamental and Applied Sciences Faculty of the University of Poitiers (UP), where he teaches robotics and mechanics. He has a Mechanical Engineer Degree (specialization on Mechanical Design) from École Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Monastir (E.N.I.M.) in 2001. M.S. in Mechanical Design, 2002. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanics from the University of Poitiers in 2005 and National Habilitation in Mechanics from the University of Poitiers in 2018. He serves as Associate Editor in several reputed international journals including ASME Journal of Medical Devices, Assembly Automation (Emerald Publishing), Mechanical Sciences (Copernicus Publications), International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems: Bioinspired Robotics (SAGE), STEME Journal (AIMS), MDPI Robotics and MDPI Machines. He is a member of the international scientific committee of RAAD, MeTrApp, RomanSy and MESROB. Dr. Laribi is a member of the Technical Committee for Biomechanical Engineering, and Robotics and Mechatronics of the International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanisms and Machines (IFToMM). His research interests, at the Department of G.M.S.C. of Pprime Institute, include aspects on robot design, mechanism synthesis, cable-driven robots, parallel robots, haptic interfaces, collaborative robots with more than 61 published peer-reviewed journal papers, 8 edited books, 10 edited journal special issue, 6 PhD students. He is leading several national and international research projects in the fields of medical robotics and biomimetics.

 

Assistant Professor Abdelbadiâ Chaker

Affiliation: Laboratory of Mechanics of Sousse, National Engineering Schoof of Sousse , Tunisia

Bio: Dr Abdelbadia Chaker is an assistant professor at the University of Sousse in Tunisia, affiliated with the National Engineering School (ENISo). His academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics engineering in 2008. Subsequently, he pursued a master’s degree in Intelligent and Communicant Systems and a PhD in mechanical engineering through joint supervision between the University of Monastir in Tunisia and the University of Poitiers in France working on the development of a haptic device for a teleoperation surgical system.

His area of expertise lies in medical robotics, mechanism synthesis, biomechanics, and functional rehabilitation. With a focus on these subjects, he actively engages in research collaborations at both national and international levels. Throughout his career, he has taken on leadership roles as well as contributed as a team member in various research projects. He organized and participated in the organization of multiple scientific events. He is a member of the Tunisian chapter of IFToMM organization.

He was invited as a visiting researcher to the University of Tokyo in 2020 awarded by the Matsumae International Foundation. During his time there, he worked on a novel cable-driven master interface for a surgical robot, expanding his knowledge in the field. His contributions to academia are documented through the publication of multiple journal papers, book chapters, and conferences.