Designers inspired by improving lives

Team member Li Yuanjing, 24, a postgraduate student from South China University of Technology, said that initially their research focused on helping people with flat feet, but realizing this focus was too narrow the team turned to stroke rehabilitation.

"While carrying out our research on rehabilitation, we were surprised to discover an extremely large number of stroke cases in China, with over 2 million cases per year," Li said.

According to Li, existing rehabilitation gloves on the market are too bulky, weighing 2 to 3 kilograms each, so their design is centered around being lightweight.

"The special glove we've designed weighs just over 600 grams. It's customized and equipped with electromyography sensors and artificial intelligence-powered visual assistance for finger function recovery, which ensures the user experience is comfortable and safe," Li said.

Targeting patients with hand dysfunction caused by impairments from surgery, stroke and hemiplegia, the glove enables users to recover at home.