IIT Kanpur has achieved a major breakthrough by developing the world’s first robotic hand exoskeleton integrated with a brain-computer interface (BCI) for stroke rehabilitation. This pioneering innovation is the outcome of 15 years of dedicated research led by Prof. Ashish Dutta from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur. The project has received valuable support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Extensive pilot clinical trials carried out in collaboration with Regency Hospital (India) and the University of Ulster (UK) have demonstrated remarkable outcomes. Impressively, eight patients — four in India and four in the UK — who had shown no further improvement even a year or two after their stroke, experienced full recovery following therapy with this advanced robotic system.
Large-scale clinical trials are now underway in partnership with Apollo Hospitals in India. The device is expected to be commercially available within the next three to five years, offering fresh hope to stroke survivors worldwide. The success of this BCI-based robotic exoskeleton signals a potential revolution in stroke rehabilitation and neuro-motor therapy.
