French company Capsix Robotics and researchers at the University of Plymouth in the UK developed masseur robots that help people perform massage therapy
The Capsix model robotic arm is equipped with sensors and a camera that guide it along the curves of the patient’s body. As you apply pressure, follow the guidelines provided by professional physical therapists to ensure proper massage techniques are used.
The massage starts by pressing a button on the remote control. It can be interrupted at any time and the pressure can be adjusted during the massage.
The robot of choice for this automated massage innovation is the iYU massage robot works with the collaborative KUKA LBR iiwa robot, which is more compact and can be programmed to perform the exact actions you train for it. This method can be more personalized
François Eyssautier, the founder of Capsix Robotics, comments: In 2016, the company aimed to demonstrate that automating this process with a robot could fulfil the dexterity to perform a massage as a physical therapist would. “For this, KUKA provided us with a robot to evaluate for a year. During a special training course, we acquired in-depth knowledge of the robot and its capabilities ”.
Eyssautier emphasized: “LBR Med plays an indispensable role in this regard, because it can implement various massage procedures safely and flexibly.”
For 2018, a product was obtained that offers a highly sensitive massage that applies the exact pressure in the appropriate points and in a very safe way.
At the beginning of 2019, the first tests were carried out at the French telecommunications company in Paris, where it had a positive impact, with an estimated time of 30 minutes where the session was completed and a large percentage of employees confirmed that it helps to reduce the tension and stress.
In the future we will have a robotic assistant that will offer us a moment of relaxation at the touch of a button.