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SoftPro · Project

Soft Robotic Prosthetic Hands and Exoskeletons for Upper Limb Rehabilitation

healthTestedTRL 5
softpro.eu

Imagine someone who's lost hand function after a stroke trying to grip a cup — current robotic aids are either powerful but complicated, or simple but weak. This project cracked the code on making robotic hands and arm devices that move more naturally by copying how our brain coordinates muscles in groups rather than one at a time. They built soft, flexible prosthetic hands, wearable arm supports, and even a "third hand" — an extra robotic finger that straps on to help paralyzed patients grab things again. The result is assistive devices that are both high-performing and simple enough for real patients to actually use at home.

By the numbers
9
demonstrated device prototypes delivered
14
consortium partners across the project
5
countries represented in consortium
4
SMEs involved in technology development
20
total project deliverables completed
The business problem

What needed solving

Millions of stroke and injury survivors lose upper limb function, but current prosthetic and rehabilitation devices are either too complex for everyday use or too basic to restore real hand function. Clinics spend heavily on one-on-one physiotherapy that is labor-intensive and hard to scale. The gap between what lab robotics can do and what patients can actually use at home remains enormous.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered 9 working prototypes: the finalized SoftHand Pro (a soft robotic prosthetic hand), the Robotic Extra Finger (a strap-on device giving paralyzed hands an extra gripping digit, MRI-compatible), a Third-Hand assistive tool for grasp stabilization, a body-mounted robotic arm for automated rehabilitation, distributed EMG muscle-sensing systems, wearable haptic feedback devices, multi-actuator artificial hands, exoskeleton control systems, and a Shoulder Elbow Perturbator for studying human-robot interaction.

Audience

Who needs this

Prosthetic hand and upper limb device manufacturersRehabilitation hospital networks and clinic chainsAssistive technology distributors serving stroke patientsExoskeleton companies expanding into medical rehabilitationWearable sensor companies targeting healthcare applications
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Prosthetics and Orthotics
mid-size
Target: Prosthetic device manufacturers

If you are a prosthetics manufacturer struggling with devices that patients abandon because they are too complex or uncomfortable — this project developed the SoftHand Pro, a finalized soft robotic hand prototype with multiple actuation units that mimics natural grip patterns. With 9 demonstrated prototypes across hands, fingers, and arm devices, this technology could let you offer a next-generation product line that patients actually keep wearing.

Rehabilitation Healthcare
enterprise
Target: Rehabilitation clinics and hospital networks

If you run a rehabilitation center dealing with high therapist costs and inconsistent patient outcomes for upper limb recovery — this project built a body-mounted robotic arm that combines automated rehabilitation with natural physiotherapy movements. It integrates wearable sensors and biofeedback so patients can do guided exercises with less hands-on therapist time, developed across a consortium of 14 partners including 9 universities specializing in motor control.

Assistive Technology
SME
Target: Assistive device companies and distributors

If you are an assistive technology company looking for differentiated products for patients with paralyzed or weakened hands — this project created the Robotic Extra Finger and a Third-Hand device, entirely new categories of wearable tools that strap onto a patient's existing hand to restore grasping function. These were designed with MRI compatibility for clinical validation, backed by distributed EMG sensing that reads the patient's muscle signals to control the device intuitively.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or integrate this technology into our products?

The project is funded as open-source (as indicated by the acronym: 'Open-source Foundations and Technologies'). Licensing terms would need to be discussed directly with the coordinator, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia. With 4 SMEs already in the consortium, there may be established pathways for commercial partnerships.

Can this scale to industrial manufacturing volumes?

The project delivered finalized prototypes, including the SoftHand Pro and hands with multiple actuation units. These are lab-validated prototypes, not yet production-ready. Scaling to manufacturing would require engineering for mass production, regulatory certification (medical device class), and supply chain setup — likely requiring 2-3 additional years of product development.

What is the intellectual property situation?

The project title references open-source foundations, suggesting core algorithms and control methods may be openly available. However, specific device designs and sensor integration developed by the 4 industrial partners likely carry separate IP arrangements. Contact the coordinator to clarify which components are open-source versus proprietary.

Has this been tested with real patients?

Based on available project data, the prototypes were designed specifically for patients with paretic limbs (partial paralysis). The Robotic Extra Finger was built with MRI compatibility for clinical investigations, and the body-mounted robotic arm was designed to integrate with physiotherapy regimes performed by medical personnel — both indicating clinical testing was part of the project plan.

What regulatory approvals does this have?

Based on available project data, the devices are at prototype stage and would require medical device certification (EU MDR) before commercial sale. The 4-year project period (2016-2020) focused on technology development and validation rather than regulatory clearance. Any company looking to commercialize would need to budget for the certification process.

How does this compare to existing prosthetic solutions on the market?

The key differentiator is the soft robotics approach — these devices use flexible, compliant materials rather than rigid mechanisms, making them lighter and more comfortable. The multi-actuator hand design and the entirely new category of supernumerary robotic fingers (extra digits added to a weakened hand) have no direct commercial equivalents currently on the market.

Consortium

Who built it

The SoftPro consortium brings together 14 partners from 5 countries (Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden), led by the prestigious Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia. The mix is research-heavy: 9 universities and 1 research organization provide deep scientific expertise in motor control, soft robotics, and biomechanics. The 4 industrial partners (all SMEs, making up 29% of the consortium) signal that commercialization was considered from the start, though the balance tilts toward academic development. For a business looking to adopt this technology, the Italian coordinator is the primary gateway, and the SME partners may already be pursuing commercial applications of specific components.

How to reach the team

Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Genoa, Italy) — reach the robotics or rehabilitation technology department

Order a report on this consortiumSee FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the SoftPro team to discuss licensing the SoftHand Pro or the Robotic Extra Finger technology? SciTransfer can arrange a direct meeting with the right people at IIT.

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