Virtual reality (VR) systems are becoming increasingly attractive as joint kinematics monitoring systems during rehabilitation. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the Oculus Quest 2 in measuring translational and rotational displacements. As the Oculus Quest 2 was chosen for future applications in shoulder rehabilitation, the translation range (minimum: ~200 mm, maximum: ~700 mm) corresponded to the forearm length of the 5th percentile female and the upper limb length of the 95th percentile male. The controller was moved on two structures designed to allow different translational displacements and rotations in the range 0–180°, to cover the range of motion of the upper limb. The controller measures were compared with those of a Qualisys optical capture system. The results showed a mean absolute error of 13.52 ± 6.57 mm at a distance of 500 mm from the head-mounted display along the x-direction. The maximum mean absolute error for rotational displacements was found to be 1.11 ± 0.37° for a rotation of 40° around the z-axis. Oculus Quest 2 is a promising VR tool for monitoring shoulder kinematics during rehabilitation. The inside-out movement tracking makes Oculus Quest 2 a viable alternative to traditional motion analysis systems.

Soft robotic grippers enable the safe manipulation of delicate objects, guaranteeing their integrity when handled and collected. Integrating sensors into these grippers can enable their proprioception but must avoid compromising flexibility or functionality. This study presents a pneumatic finger‐based soft gripper with a novel piezoresistive sensor made of laser‐induced graphene (LIG) embedded in dragon skin (DS), an elastomer matrix, offering continuous bending angle measurement. The LIG/DS composite is studied to confirm minimal impact on the gripper's stiffness. Mechanical and electromechanical characterizations are performed for two sensor designs, n ₁ and n ₂ . Design n ₁ exhibits superior performance, with a gauge factor , a linear response of up to 30% strain, and durability exceeding 10 000 cycles. A finite‐element method analysis identifies the fingers’ neutral bending plane, guiding optimal sensor placement. Experimental validation confirms theoretical predictions and finds the ideal sensor location, achieving a linear response up to 110° with low hysteresis (8%). The sensor enables real‐time monitoring of finger bending during grasping tasks, with a calibration curve linking resistance changes to bending angles. This cost‐effective, stretchable, and durable sensor demonstrates high potential for soft robotic applications, offering precise and reliable proprioception without compromising the gripper's soft properties.

Shoulder Range of Motion (ROM) has been studied with several devices and methods in recent years. Accurate tracking and assessment of shoulder movements could help us to understand the pathogenetic mechanism of specific conditions in quantifying the improvements after rehabilitation. The assessment methods can be classified as subjective and objective. However, self-reported methods are not accurate, and they do not allow the collection of specific information. Therefore, developing measurement devices that provide quantitative and objective data on shoulder function and range of motion is important. A comprehensive search of PubMed and IEEE Xplore was conducted. The sensor fusion algorithm used to analyze shoulder kinematics was described in all studies involving wearable inertial sensors. Eleven articles were included. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 was used to assess the risk of bias (QUADAS-2). The finding showed that the Kalman filter and its variants UKF and EKF are used in the majority of studies. Alternatives based on complementary filters and gradient descent algorithms have been reported as being more computationally efficient. Many approaches and algorithms have been developed to solve this problem. It is useful to fuse data from different sensors to obtain a more accurate estimation of the 3D position and 3D orientation of a body segment. The sensor fusion technique makes this integration reliable. This systematic review aims to redact an overview of the literature on the sensor fusion algorithms used for shoulder motion tracking.

Optimal upper limb (UpL) function is essential for performing daily activities; however, children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP) often experience impairments in UpL function, which can impact their quality of life or independence. While UpL motor impairments are a primary concern, non-motor functions, such as cognition, attention, and visual function, commonly impaired in USCP, may also play a role in UpL performance. Nevertheless, these non-motor functions are often not considered in evaluation protocols that focus on the UpL. Moreover, clinical evaluation is typically conducted in structured and controlled settings and may not accurately reflect the child’s abilities in daily life. Non-invasive, novel technologies are a promising solution for filling this gap, by providing additional quantitative and ecologically valid information to clinicians. In this context, this overview aims (i) to present the most frequently used tools for a holistic evaluation in children with USCP, ensuring a thorough understanding of the UpL function, and (ii) to report the evidence of how novel, non-invasive technologies can enhance clinical evaluation in daily life, enabling a more comprehensive evaluation. This work could set a basis for multidimensional evaluation protocols for UpL function in USCP, providing a different approach to the current standards.

Variable stiffness is typically employed in soft robotics to address the trade-off between compliance and the ability to generate stability when required. Among the several approaches investigated, jamming transition systems show remarkable stiffness performance and fast response. Building upon the preliminary study on a seashell bioinspired variable stiffness structure, here we extend the design space through a parametric study supported by a finite element model based on commercially available software. The study allows establishing the relationship between the design parameters and the stiffness performance. Moreover, the optimal configuration in terms of performance to energy consumption is identified and compared to previous similar approaches. Finally, the low computational cost of the finite element model demonstrated to be an effective tool for the analysis of complex geometries, thereby establishing a foundation for the development of cost-effective and lightweight soft robotic devices empowered by variable stiffness capabilities (e.g. a wearable device for assistance).

The Mediterranean basin is a transnational, multicultural and multilingual region that, because of its unique geography, has long facilitated social and economic interconnections. This remains true today, even as the world struggles with division and conflict. The Mediterranean stands as a fluid, aqua-centric example of pacific coexistence. In this article I consider three films by the actor-director Sergio Rubini – L'anima gemella/Soul Mate (2001), La terra/The Land (2005), and L'uomo nero/Bogeyman (2009) – that offer viewers examples of postmodern nostalgia and Mediterraneanism as manifested in southern Italian culture. By taking into account studies of the use of magic in the Italian south, Meridian philosophy, and the unique combination of irony and nostalgia, I investigate how Rubini's oeuvre expresses intrinsic Mediterraneanism. In each of these films, metamorphosis (physical and psychological) denotes modes of cultural integration and reintegration, spiritualmoral hybridization (between paganism and Catholicism, between family loyalty and criminal tribalism) and reinterpretations of the past.