Smart robots may soon offer more personalized support for people with motor coordination conditions like dyspraxia, thanks to a new project led by the University of Surrey.
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Engineers are developing mathematical models that enable assistive robots to detect and respond to a person’s intent, effort, and fatigue, allowing the technology to adapt in real time and offer more tailored assistance.
Backed by funding from the UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Network (UK-RAS), the research will explore how individuals perform basic movement tasks using a robotic wrist device called the HRX-1. Participants will wear sensors that track brain and muscle activity, producing data that trains the robots to recognize signs of struggle, whether from fatigue, reduced coordination, or mental load.
The study will include both neurotypical individuals and people with dyspraxia, a neurodevelopmental condition that affects 5–6 % of the UK population. Dyspraxia can make routine activities, like writing, driving, or staying balanced, more difficult. Yet despite its widespread impact, it remains under-recognized in education, healthcare, and the workplace, and is still relatively under-studied.
This project isn’t just about advancing robotics – it’s about better understanding human movement and response to mental and physical strain. Unlike many assistive technologies that focus on optimizing robot function, our approach puts people first, aiming to build systems that adapt to individual needs and capabilities.
Dr. Sajeeva Abeywardena, Lecturer, University of Surrey
He added, “By working with both neurotypical and dyspraxic participants, we hope to identify patterns that could lead to more effective tools for diagnosis, therapy, and everyday support. It’s an opportunity to bridge robotics and neuroscience in a way that delivers meaningful and lasting benefits.”
The team will use advanced mathematical modeling to analyze how the brain and body react to movement in dynamic, unpredictable environments. These insights could help create intent-aware, adaptive robotic systems, ranging from wearable support devices to diagnostic aids.
Dyspraxia is a lifelong condition that affects the daily life of millions of people in the UK, but we still don’t fully understand the underlying mechanisms behind it. Our hope is that the data we gather will lead to smarter, more inclusive future technologies that not only support individuals with dyspraxia but also help clinicians tailor interventions in ways that weren’t possible before.
Dr. Marie Martel, Lecturer, Developmental Psychology, University of Surrey
Ultimately, this work could lay the foundation for assistive technologies that offer greater independence and ease the burden on healthcare systems.