Prof Alessandro Colombo (DEIB) is the scientific coordinator of the ACCEPT project, leading a team made up of the Departments of Mechanics and Design as well as the DEIB. For the ACCEPT project, which is one of the winners of the 2019 edition of the PoliSocial Award (the social engagement and responsibility programme of the Politecnico di Milano), an adaptive climbing wall equipped with sensors was created to analyze the progress of rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy, designed to reduce inequalities and promote health and well-being. The structure has the appearance of a normal climbing wall, such as those currently used by children aged 4 and over in climbing gyms, and is designed according to the regulations currently in force for this type of structure. Unlike existing structures, however, the wall is equipped with sensors capable of measuring the force exerted by users on each grip, while additional wearable sensors can be used to measure the kinematic parameters of the upper limbs during a climbing exercise. The wall is also optimized, in terms of colors, appearance, shape of the grips, details, for use by children with disabilities. In collaboration with other research centers, we are now optimizing both the ergonomic aspects and the guidelines for its use. The goal is to create a play and training tool, which allows children to have fun and carry out a highly stimulating activity also from an emotional point of view, but which at the same time provides those who follow these children with useful data to evaluate the any progress in motor skills, including from a quantitative point of view.
You can support the project through: https://www.dona.polimi.it/ct_progetti/accept/