BewegungsForscher - Everyday medical aids for and with citizens

The "BewegungsForscher" project of Leibniz-Institut fuer Verbundwerkstoffe (IVW) and Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU)  aims to develop innovative technologies in the field of motion analysis and support with the strong involvement of the public. It is part of the "Offensive Digitalization Palatinate" (OD Pfalz) and relies on a participatory research approach that focuses on the needs of users.

First steps: Needs analysis and topic identification

At the beginning of the project, a broad-based needs survey was conducted to identify needs in the area of medical aids and everyday aids. The results of the survey provided valuable insights, but were not sufficient on their own to derive a specific research question that was ideally suited to IVW's expertise.

Citizen participation as a central element

In order to enable a more targeted focus of the project, a kick-off event was organized in which the participating citizens actively suggested and prioritized topics. A total of eight topics were identified and subsequently evaluated in terms of their feasibility and fit with IVW's research focus. Citizens are also involved through regular workshops where they can actively participate in the development process. Another important component of citizen participation is the collaboration with school and university students as part of "Jugend forscht" and student theses. This initiative involves talented young people in the research process at an early stage and gives them the opportunity to contribute their own ideas and approaches to the project.

Focus on the development of a smart orthosis

As a result of this evaluation, the team decided to develop the project further with a focus on a "smart orthosis". The original idea was to design an orthosis to support fracture healing and warn against overloading. However, as the project progressed, it became apparent that a foot lifter orthosis that adapts to the rehabilitation process after a stroke or to the course of the disease in multiple sclerosis (MS) could be even more relevant and effective. This decision is based on close cooperation with the citizens and professionals involved, who have actively contributed their experiences and needs to the development process. The planned smart orthosis is being developed on the basis of fiber composite materials and aims to provide individualized support for movement sequences. Sensorimotor technology plays a central role as it enables optimized adaptation to the user's individual movement requirements. The aim is to provide people with limited mobility with improved mobility and a higher quality of life.

Project preview

The further course of the project will continue to be closely coordinated with the citizens involved. In the coming months, the focus will be on developing and testing the first prototypes . The participatory approach remains central to ensuring that the technology is designed to be practical and needs-based.

With the "BewegungsForscher" project, IVW is sending a strong signal for the linking of research and social participation - a model that can also be groundbreaking for future innovation projects.