International Rehabilitation Technology Workshop Archive
We are delighted to share the success of the International Rehabilitation Technology Workshop: Global Challenges and Opportunities in Rehabilitation Technology Development, held at Nexus, University of Leeds on 30th October. This one-day hybrid event brought together 61 participants (42 in-person and 19 online) from across the globe, including partners from the UK, US, China, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. The workshop attracted strong engagement from students and early-career researchers, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Dr. Aiqin Liu, Chair of the workshop, opened the event by welcoming participants and keynote speakers. Prof. Ian Wood, Pro-Dean International at the University of Leeds, highlighted the University’s international strategy to advance global health technologies and introduced the Cheney Fellowship Scheme, which supports world-leading researchers in developing their work at Leeds. We were honored to welcome Prof. Jingang Yi from Rutgers University, US, Cheney Fellow and co-host of the workshop.
Morning Highlights: Cutting-Edge Research and Commercialisation
The morning session showcased pioneering research from our consortium partners:
Prof. Jingang Yi, Prof. Shane Xie, and Prof. Sanja Dogrammadzi presented breakthroughs in rehabilitation and assistive technologies, including fall-prevention robots, physical assistance robots, and motion-assist devices. Discussions emphasised the role of big data and AI in delivering personalised rehabilitation and future trends such as advanced sensing, actuation, and immersive VR and music-based interventions.
Prof. Edward Draper inspired participants with insights on commercialising rehabilitation technologies, sparking lively debate on translating research into real-world impact.
Afternoon Highlights: Clinical Applications and Panel Discussion
Our clinical experts from the UK and US, including Prof. Hemant Pandit, Prof. Phil Conaghan, Prof. O’Connor, Dr Peter Barrance, Prof. Guang Yue, Mr. Sanjeev Anand and Dr. Adam Galloway, shared compelling case studies on integrating sensing systems, robotics, and apps into patient care. The panel discussion was a standout moment, addressing critical challenges and opportunities in adopting rehabilitation technologies in clinical practice:
Key challenges: patient adherence, cost-effectiveness, and implementation barriers.
Clear message: technology developers must co-design with end-users, prioritise clinical needs, usability, and accessibility, and conduct rigorous clinical trials to accelerate adoption.
The panel reinforced the importance of personalised technologies, aligning with iCART’s mission to deliver tailored solutions for diverse populations and healthcare systems worldwide.
Building Global Partnerships
The workshop served as a catalyst for expanding the International Consortium for Advanced Rehabilitation Technologies (iCART). We welcomed new academic and clinical partners, including:
- Prof. Edward Draper, Entrepreneur in Residence, University of Leeds
- Prof. Hemant Pandit, Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Leeds
- Prof. O’Connor, Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Leeds
- Mr. Sanjeev Anand, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, LTHT
- Prof. Phil Conaghan, Director, NIHR Leeds BRC
- Dr. Adam Galloway, Visiting Academic Clinical Fellow, University of Leeds
- Prof. Zhiqiang Zhang Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Leeds
- Prof. Yu Shi, Chair of Textiles Innovation & Smart Composite Materials, University of Leeds
Impact and Future Directions
This dynamic event provided a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and cross-sector collaboration, inspiring participants to shape the future of rehabilitation technology. Through interactive sessions and group activities, the workshop strengthened global partnerships and set the stage for innovative solutions to tackle pressing healthcare challenges.
We look forward to continuing this momentum and driving impactful research and technology development.