$41.5 Million ARPA-H Award to Fuel HERL’s Reimagining of Wheelchairs and Assistive Robotic Arms
An award of up to $41.5 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to develop the Robotic Assisted Mobility and Manipulation Platform (RAMMP) system seeks to make frustrating, time-consuming ordeals a thing of the past. With the award, researchers at HERL, an institute within Pitt’s schools of health sciences and part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, will lead a team using next-generation robotics and new assistive technology to reimagine a wheelchair and assistive robotic arm intended to improve the independence, safety and quality of life for people with disabilities, including veterans.
The Need for Advanced Mobility Solutions
For those with disabilities and mobility challenges, some basic morning tasks that many take for granted can be time-consuming and tedious. “Think about this morning. Many of you probably opened up your refrigerator to get … some milk or something. … That is right now possible, but (for others) that may take 45 minutes to an hour,” said Rory Cooper, director of Pitt’s Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL). He noted that even starting the day with a cup of coffee or glass of orange juice “takes — even now with the best current technology — 10 to 15 minutes, for one sip.”
Cooper explained that current equipment often falls short of user needs: “Most powered wheelchairs aren’t designed to overcome many of the common challenges in the real world — and changing the environment to accommodate them is nearly impossible.” Consequently, there is a critical need for smarter technology that prevents tipping and falling, improves mobility, and adds more function so people with disabilities can fully participate in everyday life.
Technical Innovation and the RAMMP System
RAMMP will integrate advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, a novel operating system, and digital twin technology through the Robotic Assistive Mobility Manipulation Simulation (RAMMS) environment. This virtual platform “enables precise, safe and scalable testing and development within realistic simulated settings.”
The project represents a complete overhaul of current designs. “We are redesigning everything from the ground up,” Cooper said. “In terms of the seating system, the base, its robotic arm, the control system, the mechanical design, the operating system — everything will be new.” Using robotic arms for more effective object interaction, the RAMMP system is intended to advance the design of powered mobility and manipulation devices by improving their function, obstacle detection, and negotiation.
Collaborative Research and Economic Impact
Joining Pitt in the national research consortium are several prominent partners:
- Kinova Robotics
- LUCI Mobility
- ATDev
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Cornell University
- Northeastern University
- Purdue University
The system also seeks to create new workforce and manufacturing opportunities in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania, with the goal of “producing advanced mobility systems domestically.” In addition to Cooper, the project’s principal investigators include Jorge Candiotti, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and research biomedical engineer within HERL and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Key Project Information
| Project Name | Robotic Assisted Mobility and Manipulation Platform (RAMMP) |
| Funding Amount | Up to $41.5 million |
| Funding Agency | Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) |
| Lead Institution | Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) |
| Primary Goal | Reimagining wheelchairs and assistive robotic arms |