Network for excellent terahertz research for communication, localisation, material characterisation, environmental monitoring and medical technology.

As part of the terahertz.NRW project, the Medical Technology Systems (SMT) department is working on the application of neurorehabilitation in the field of robotic movement support of the upper body. The aim of this scientific research work is to record muscle movements in the forearm without contact using THz technologies. Signal processing and machine learning methods will be researched and developed. Subsequently, data-driven learning methods and suitable models will be used to predict finger movements and grasping postures of the hand.

Based on the assumption that muscle activity causes skin deformations, a non-contact camera-based method is also being developed in collaboration with the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). This method will serve as a testing and evaluation criterion in the course of the project, together with electromyography (EMG) and the ultrasound device.