Using a mobile robot to help people with severe spinal cord injuries live more independently
Official title: Social, Assistive Mobile Manipulator (SAMM) to enhance functional independence in persons with tetraplegia secondary to severe cervical spinal cord injury
Funded at Charles River Analytics, INC. · NIH-11180646 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a friendly robot that can help people with tetraplegia do everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating, making life a little easier and more independent while also supporting their emotional needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Charles River Analytics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $399,988 |
| NIH project number | 1R43HD116639-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180646 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with tetraplegia resulting from severe cervical spinal cord injuries who require assistance with daily living activities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild spinal cord injuries or those who do not require assistance with daily activities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a mobile manipulator designed to assist individuals with tetraplegia due to severe cervical spinal cord injuries in performing daily activities. The project aims to enhance functional independence by utilizing advanced robotics technology to help with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating. By integrating social robotics with physical assistance, the research seeks to alleviate the burden on caregivers and improve the overall quality of life for patients. The approach involves creating a robot that can interact with users and assist them in a supportive manner, addressing both physical and emotional needs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the independence and quality of life for individuals with severe spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in the field of assistive robotics has shown promise in improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Charles River Analytics, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cross, Ernest Vincent — Charles River Analytics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Cross, Ernest Vincent
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Predicting and Preventing Chronic Aspiration After Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
This project looks at swallowing problems and chronic aspiration in adults with traumatic neck spine injuries to find patterns that could prevent serious lung complications.
-
Spinal Direct Current Stimulation to Improve Breathing After Cervical Cord Injury
A non-invasive therapy using gentle electrical stimulation to help people with spinal cord injuries breathe better.
-
Combining breathing therapies to help restore breathing after neck-level spinal cord injury
This project will see whether brief bursts of low oxygen combined with breathing exercises or exercise can help people with chronic neck spinal cord injuries breathe better.
-
Transplanting Lab-Grown Human Neurons to Help cervical spinal cord injuries
Researchers are testing whether transplanting lab-made human neurons into the neck portion of the spinal cord can improve arm and hand function after injury.
-
Neural repair for chronic incomplete cervical spinal cord injury with NgR blockade plus rehab
Aiming to help adults with long-standing incomplete cervical spinal cord injury improve movement and function by blocking a specific nerve signal pathway and adding targeted rehabilitation.
-
Improving breathing recovery after cervical spinal cord injury
This study is looking at new ways to help people with cervical spinal cord injuries breathe better by combining special breathing exercises with short periods of low oxygen, aiming to boost their recovery and strengthen their breathing muscles.
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.