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The Powered Rehab Skateboard for arm rehabilitation

November 27th, 2025

Stroke often results in significant upper limb impairment, affecting patients' ability to perform daily activities. Robotic therapy for individuals after stroke has been proven as evidence-based practice in rehabilitation because it allows high frequency and intensity of training for the individual with guided movement and standardized behavioral protocols. However, current rehabilitation methods are often limited by access to clinical facilities and high cost of robotic therapies.

The Powered Rehab Skateboard is a training robot designed for home-based rehabilitation aimed at promoting motor recovery in stroke patients with hemiparetic upper extremities. Developed by Prof. Kenneth Fong, Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, the portable and cost-effective robotic system enables patients to engage in effective rehabilitation in the comfort of their homes. It is also recognized as CES Innovation Awards 2026 Honoree, showcasing PolyU's breakthroughs in assistive technology for elderly care and rehabilitation.

The Powered Rehab Skateboard facilitates motor learning by guiding patients through precise movements and offering personalized therapy that adapts to individual needs through multiple operational modes, including passive, assistive, and resistive. Integrated with a torque sensor, it detects the user's active force in real time and automatically adjusts the level of assistance to ensure optimal support.

The system is designed to accommodate different stages of recovery, enabling customized rehabilitation plans that evolve with patient progress. Its portable design provides a convenient solution for home-based therapy, reducing reliance on frequent clinical visits and improving accessibility.

For enhanced safety, the device is equipped with a micro edge detection sensor that immediately triggers an alarm and suspends operation if an edge beyond the table is detected, preventing accidents and ensuring secure use.

Provided by Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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