Restoring movement after paralysis with AI-powered copilots
Official title: Restoring complex movement and locomotion after paralysis through collaborative copilots
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11387866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing AI-aided system would help people with paralysis perform everyday tasks by interpreting the user’s intent and guiding assistive robots.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,102,500 |
| NIH project number | 5DP1HD121548-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with paralysis affecting daily function who could benefit from assistive AI-enabled robotics.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without paralysis or those not needing assistive devices may not benefit from this grant.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a low-risk, high-performance AI copilot that works with non-invasive signals to infer a person’s movement goal and assist with complex actions like brushing teeth, cooking, and opening doors. It will combine computer vision and brain- or body-signal inputs to control assistive robots and adapt as the user and copilot learn from each other. The research includes developing new copilot architectures, merging multiple signal sources, and ensuring safe, intuitive shared control for daily tasks. If successful, this work could dramatically enhance independence and quality of life for people living with paralysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with paralysis could perform daily tasks more easily and independently using AI-assisted robotic copilots.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with AI-assisted prosthetics and robotic assistance has shown potential, but this project aims to integrate multiple signals for improved control.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kao, Jonathan Chau-Yan — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Kao, Jonathan Chau-Yan
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.