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Technologies
Special Issues
Innovations in Design, Development and Evaluation of Assistive Technologies
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Innovations in Design, Development and Evaluation of Assistive Technologies

A special issue of Technologies (ISSN 2227-7080). This special issue belongs to the section "Assistive Technologies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 4829

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Reza Saatchi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK
Interests: medical engineering; electronic design aspects; medical engineering; medical devices; signal and image processing; artificial intelligence; machine learning; big data analysis; data mining; wireless communication; quality of service
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Assistive technologies refer to products, systems, or devices that support and assist individuals with disabilities, mobility restrictions, or impairments to perform their daily life activities more effectively. These technologies are increasingly important due to aging populations and greater expectations from people needing technological support to overcome their disabilities. The elderly living alone in their homes require technologies that ensure their safety and appropriate timely assistance when at risk. These technologies need be effective and ethical.

This Special Issue of Technologies warmly invites researchers, industrialists, clinicians, health support professionals, and anyone with an interest in the field to kindly contribute by exploring related innovations, prospects, and expectations. The rapid growth in the capabilities of artificial intelligence, miniature microprocessors with wireless transceivers, sensors, and remote monitoring has created immense innovation opportunities.

We respectfully invite you to submit an article to this Special Issue, covering assistive technologies topics such as the following:

  • Artificial guide dogs.
  • Artificial intelligence techniques.
  • Artificial organs, e.g. artificial limbs.
  • Assistive technologies for people with verbal communication difficulties.
  • Co-design techniques.
  • Ethical concerns and issues.
  • Explorations of expectations from individuals with disabilities.
  • Internet access techniques.
  • Internet of things and Internet of medical things.
  • Legislation and standards.
  • Mobility apparatuses, such as wheelchairs.
  • Navigation technologies for the blind.
  • Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) processes.
  • Pattern recognition and object detection.
  • Rehabilitation technologies from injuries, operations, and accidents.
  • Remote control.
  • Remote health monitoring technologies.
  • Remote sensing and monitoring.
  • Review articles.
  • Robotics.
  • Sensors and measurement technologies.
  • Signal processing techniques.
  • Support aides, e.g., hearing aids.
  • Supportive devices, e.g., knee braces.
  • Tools to assist people with weak or limited grip abilities to operate devices.
  • Tracking techniques.
  • Visual and infrared imaging.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Reza Saatchi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Technologies is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • disabilities
  • remote monitoring
  • artificial intelligence
  • assistive technologies

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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23 pages, 11170 KiB  
Article
Automatic Robotic Ultrasound for 3D Musculoskeletal Reconstruction: A Comprehensive Framework
by Dezhi Sun, Alessandro Cappellari, Bangyu Lan, Momen Abayazid, Stefano Stramigioli and Kenan Niu
Technologies 2025, 13(2), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13020070 - 8 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1496
Abstract
Musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) imaging faces challenges such as operator experience, limited spatial flexibility, and high personnel costs. This study introduces an Automated Robotic Ultrasound Scanning (ARUS) system that integrates key technological advancements to automate the ultrasound scanning procedure with the robot, including anatomical [...] Read more.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) imaging faces challenges such as operator experience, limited spatial flexibility, and high personnel costs. This study introduces an Automated Robotic Ultrasound Scanning (ARUS) system that integrates key technological advancements to automate the ultrasound scanning procedure with the robot, including anatomical target localization, automatic trajectory generation, deep-learning-based segmentation, and 3D reconstruction of musculoskeletal structures. The ARUS system consists of a robotic arm, ultrasound imaging, and stereo vision for precise anatomical area detection. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) facilitates a flexible selection of scanning trajectories, improving user interaction and enabling customized US scans. To handle complex and dynamic curvatures on the skin, together with anatomical area detection, the system employs a hybrid position–force control strategy based on the generated trajectory, ensuring stability and accuracy. Additionally, the utilized RA-UNet model offers multi-label segmentation on the bone and muscle tissues simultaneously, which incorporates residual blocks and attention mechanisms to enhance segmentation accuracy and robustness. A custom musculoskeletal phantom was used for validation. Compared to the reference 3D reconstruction result derived from the MRI scan, ARUS achieved a 3D reconstruction root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.22 mm, with a mean error of 0.94 mm and a standard deviation of 0.77 mm. The ARUS system extends 3D musculoskeletal imaging capacity by enabling both bones and muscles to be segmented and reconstructed into 3D shapes in real time and simultaneously. These features suggest significant potential as a cost-effective and reliable option for musculoskeletal examination and diagnosis in real-time applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Design, Development and Evaluation of Assistive Technologies)
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23 pages, 3175 KiB  
Article
Assisting Hearing and Physically Impaired Students in Navigating Immersive Virtual Reality for Library Orientation
by Pakinee Ariya, Yakannut Yensathit, Phimphakan Thongthip, Kannikar Intawong and Kitti Puritat
Technologies 2025, 13(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13010002 - 24 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1793
Abstract
This study aims to design and develop a virtual reality platform (VR-ISLS) tailored to support hearing and physically impaired students at the university library for navigating and utilizing library services. By employing an immersive virtual environment, the platform replicates the physical setting of [...] Read more.
This study aims to design and develop a virtual reality platform (VR-ISLS) tailored to support hearing and physically impaired students at the university library for navigating and utilizing library services. By employing an immersive virtual environment, the platform replicates the physical setting of the university’s library to create a realistic experience that reduces anxiety and enhances familiarity. The platform integrates assistive technology functions, including sign language interpretation, customizable audio cues, vibration feedback, and various locomotion controls to meet the diverse needs of impaired students. The research methodology employs an iterative development process, incorporating feedback from library staff, disability support services, and students to ensure usability and accessibility. Evaluation of the platform using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and user feedback revealed a positive reception, with recommendations for further customization and enhanced assistive features to optimize the user experience. This study underscores the importance of inclusive design and continuous iteration in creating immersive virtual reality tools that provide significant benefits for persons with disabilities, enhancing both accessibility and learning experiences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Design, Development and Evaluation of Assistive Technologies)
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12 pages, 375 KiB  
Protocol
Training Cognitive Functions Using DUAL-REHAB, a New Dual-Task Application in MCI and SMC: A Study Protocol of a Randomized Control Trial
by Elisa Pedroli, Francesca Bruni, Valentina Mancuso, Silvia Cavedoni, Francesco Bigotto, Jonathan Panigada, Monica Rossi, Lorenzo Boilini, Karine Goulene, Marco Stramba-Badiale and Silvia Serino
Technologies 2025, 13(3), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13030096 - 1 Mar 2025
Viewed by 918
Abstract
Background: Current research on Alzheimer’s Disease has progressively focused on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) as a pre-dementia state, as well as on Subjective Memory Complaint (SMC), as a potential early indicator of cognitive change. Consequently, timely interventions to prevent cognitive decline are essential [...] Read more.
Background: Current research on Alzheimer’s Disease has progressively focused on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) as a pre-dementia state, as well as on Subjective Memory Complaint (SMC), as a potential early indicator of cognitive change. Consequently, timely interventions to prevent cognitive decline are essential and are most effective when combined with motor training. Nevertheless, motor-cognitive dual-task training often employs non-ecological tasks and is confined to clinical contexts lacking generalizability to daily life. The integration of 360° media could overcome these limitations. Therefore, the aim of the current work is twofold: (a) to present a dual-task training using 360° technology for its interactivity, versatility, and ecological validity, and (b) to propose a protocol to test its efficacy through a randomized clinical trial. Methods: This study will recruit 90 older adults (MCI and SMC). Participants will follow two phases of training: in-hospital rehabilitation and at-home rehabilitation. The experimental design will follow a 2 × 3 × 2 structure with 3 factors: type of treatment (360° training vs. traditional rehabilitation), time (baseline, post in-hospital training, and post at-home training), and group (SMC vs. MCI). Results: The expected outcome is an improvement in cognitive and motor functioning after the experimental training. Conclusion: This study will advance the literature on non-pharmacological interventions and innovative technological tools for cognitive trainings in the early stages of cognitive decline. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Design, Development and Evaluation of Assistive Technologies)
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