MRH: ENERGY HARVESTING APPLIED
TO REHABILITATION DEVICES
Pilsen 30 JUNE – 1 JULY 2011
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
INDEX
About us
MRH project
Pilot case: Energy harvesting applied
to MRH
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
About us
The UPC
CDEI-UPC
Our Projects
MRH project
Pilot case: Energy harvesting applied
to MRH
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. The UPC
The UPC
The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. BarcelonaTech (UPC) is a university with a
consolidated worldwide reputation and an international vision that generates technological
innovation and attracts talent.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. The UPC
Who we are
What we do
Where we are
29,041 First and second cycle
students
2,775 Master’s degree students
2,986 Doctoral students
4,380 Continuing-education
students
4,508 First and second cycle
degree holders (2008-2009
academic year)
258
Doctoral degree holders
(2008-2009 academic year)
3,142 Students in educational
cooperation agreements with
companies
1,167 UPC students
831 Visiting students
4,185 Undergraduate students on a
scholarship
202 Doctoral students on a
scholarship
2,752 Teaching and research staff
1,629 Administrative and service
staff
61 Scientific and technical awards
received
68 2010-2011 official undergraduate
degrees
9 Double degrees
95 International double-degree
programs
62 2010-2011 master’s degree
programs
43 Doctoral programs
316 Continuing-education programs
(UPC-specific master’s degrees and
postgraduate courses)
949 Research new agreements and
projects
2,965 Books, chapters and articles
published in scientific journals
20 Patents
14 Companies created and partially
owned
16 NGOs and development
cooperation groups at the UPC
102 Development cooperation
projects
11 Campuses and regional centers
23 Schools
42 Departments
8 Research institutes
183 UPC research groups and
centers
17 CER centers
18 TECNIO centers
18 Associated research centers
4 / 90,000 m2 Activity centers and
surface area
5 UNESCO chairs
8 International networks with the
UPC as a member
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. CDEI-UPC
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. CDEI-UPC
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. CDEI-UPC
Our Team:
The MRH Project Team:
Carles Domènech
domenech@cdei.upc.edu
Huáscar Paz
paz@cdei.upc.edu
Sònia Llorens
llorens@cdei.upc.edu
Skype: sonia_llorens
Tel: +34 934 010 831
Carles Riba (as consultant)
riba@cdei.upc.edu
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Amate: Loudspeaker System characterization
Robotic system for uptake characteristics
of loudspeakers. The characteristic are
then introduced in software that
simulates the behaviour of a set of
loudspeakers in a given space.
Tasks performed:
•Management and coordination of the
Project
•Management of the development of the
control system
•Management of the development of data
acquisition system
•Design and fabrication of a 3-axis robot for
positioning a loudspeaker
•Installation and start up
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Amate: Loudspeaker System characterization
CHAMBER of
COMMERCE 2009
AWARDS
http://www.master-audio.com/
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Ictineu III: Submarine robotic arm for
scientific purposes
Ictineu III is the project where a submarine for a
scientific purpose is developed.
The robotic arm is able to work up to 2000 meters
depth.
Tasks performed:
•Analysis of the state of the art of underwater robotic arms
•Conceptual design
•Analysis of most appropriate kinematics
•Selection of actuators
•Design for manufacturing
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Ictineu III: Submarine robotic arm for
scientific purposes
http://www.ictineu.net/
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Elebia: e5, the automatic crane
hook
The elebia® e5 is automatic, motorized,
remote control, industrial hook system.
Task performed:
•Conceptual design
•Material and manufacturing process selection
•Design for prototyping
•Integration of electronics components
•Manufacture and assembly of a functional prototype
•Testing and evaluation of results
•Drawings for serial manufacturing of hooks
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Elebia: e5, the automatic crane
hook
http://www.elebia.com/
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Serra soldadura: Robotic welding gun
Development of a new linear electrical
actuator for robotic welding guns
Task performed:
•Conceptual design
•Design for prototyping
•Integration of electrical actuator and electronics components
•Management of manufacture and assembly of a functional prototype
•Testing and evaluation of results
•Drawings for serial manufacturing welding guns
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Serra soldadura: Robotic welding gun
http://www.serrasold.com
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Reverté: Analysis and design of a machine for
particle sorting
The particle sorter is a machine that
includes a turbine to separate carbonate
particles using centrifugal force and an
airflow.
Tasks performed:
•Analysis of bearings, critical speed, strain and stress of system
•Analysis of materials suitable for optimal operation of the machine
•Redesign to prevent the effects of critical speed
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Reverté: Analysis and design of a machine for
particle sorting
http://www.reverteminerals.com/
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Praesentis: Bleeper, teleoperated underwater vehicle
Bleeper is an underwater explorer, of very
small size and large versatility
Task performed:
•Conceptual design
•Design and test of preliminar prototypes of propellers
•Design of a functional prototype with all components
•Management of manufacture and assembly of a functional prototype
•Testing in real conditions and evaluation of results
•Drawings for serial manufacturing
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
Praesentis: Bleeper, teleoperated underwater vehicle
http://www.praesentis.com
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
MRM: Muscular relaxation machine
Development of a new muscular relaxation
machine for sportsman.
Task performed:
•Conceptual design
•Design for prototyping
•Testing and evaluation of results
•Drawings for serial manufacturing
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ABOUT US. OUR PROJECTS
MRM: Muscular relaxation machine
http://www.mrm-andorra.com/
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
About us
MRH project
The project
State of art in rehabilitation
Main requirements for MRH
Pilot case: Energy harvesting
applied to MRH
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
MRH-PROJECT
WP1:State of the
art (rehabilitation
and mechatronic
equipment)
WP2:User
requirements
of MRH
WP2:Main
constrains for
stakeholders
(technological,
medical, social)
Pilot applications
WP3:Business
models
• Design specs
• Medical specs
• User interfaces
The white book of Mechatronics
Rehabilitation at Home
WP4:Knowledge and
experience exchange
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
MRH STATE OF ART
Robots
Rehabilitation
Phisical
Exoskelets
Neuroprosthesis
Neuroprosthesis
Cognitive
VirtualReality/User
interfaces
Medical management
Assistance
Cardiorespiratory
Robots
Technical helps
Sharing information
electronic prescription
Other
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
MRH MAIN REQUIRENTS
COMMON REQ. VS
SPECIFIC REQ.
EFFICIENT /
FUNCTION
EASY OF USE /
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
TECHNICAL REQ. VS
MEDICAL REQ. VS LEGAL
AND SOCIAL REQ
COST /
AFFORDABLE
PATIENT POINT OF VIEW VS
THERAPIST REQ VS
COMPANIES REQ.
FUN / MOTIVATION
PORTABLE / SPACE /
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
PATIENT AND THERAPIST CONTACT
SAFE AND ROBUST
CONNECTIVITY / FEEDBACK / DATA
ACQUISITION / THERAPY
EVALUATION
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
About us
MRH project
Pilot case: Energy harvesting applied
to MRH
Main concepts
Application example
Business model
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Main concepts
What is energy harvesting?
Energy Harvesting is the process where the energy not used and coming from existing
sources (i.e. vibration, repetitive movements, solar energy, wind energy, etc) is
captured, stored and used for energy supplying of electronic devices autonomous and
wireless.
Why are we talking about harvesters in MRH?
Harvesters offer new possibilities to rehabilitation devices because they are very
attractive to replace batteries in low consumption and/or wireless devices.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Main concepts
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
• No maintenance required.
• Low power generation.
• More autonomy
• Complex designs.
• Practice rehabilitation anywhere.
• No batteries required.
•New functionalities
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
CDEI-UPC Previous experience
CDEI
has
developed
several
electromagnetic harvesters in transfer of
technology projects.
The generators are used into power
wireless sensors to perform CBM
(Condition Based Monitoring) in trains.
Electromagnetic Prototype developed in CDEI.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Energy Harvesters
Vibration-Powered Generators
Piezoelectric
Deformation-Powered Generators
Electromagnetic
Vibration-Powered Generators
Electrostatic
Vibration-Powered Generators
Thermal-Powered Generators
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
PIEZOLECTRIC HARVESTERS
Vibration
The oscillating system is typically a
cantilever-beam structure with a mass at
the unattached end of the lever.
EoPlex Technologies Ltd. Prototype
Deformation
Any force can be converted in electrical
energy leveraging the capabilities of
piezoelectric materials. Variable forces or
impacts applied into piezoelectric elements
have been used in human applications.
Backpack with
piezoelectric straps
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
ELECTROMAGNETIC HARVESTERS
Relative motion between a coil and a magnet causes the induction
of an electric current in the coil (Induction Faraday’s law)
ELECTROSTATIC HARVESTERS
Mechanical forces are employed to do work against the attraction of oppositely
charged parts; in effect, such devices are mechanically variable capacitors whose
plates are separated by the movement of the source of vibration.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
THERMAL HARVESTERS
Temperature differences of only a couple of degrees, induce heat to migrate to
the cooler region of a thermoelectric system. This heat flow carries electrons
with it, thereby generating a current.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Movements done by patients during its rehabilitation process can be a source
of energy, using the electromagnetic principle of harvesting.
What are the advantages of this proposal?
1. The devices developed in the project would have autonomy to acquire, store and send
data. This would offer the possibility of rehabilitation anywhere (with the only requirement
of low electric consumption systems).
2. The Power harvesters designed are suitable to be used in other applications and systems
with similar conditions. That can result in a very attractive device for companies, as they
can open their market to several sectors using energy harvesters.
3. It is an extra value of the rehabilitation devices, making them more versatile without a
significant cost increase.
4. Energy harvesting in MRH can be used as a motivation tool (medical experts point
motivation of patients as a key point for faster rehabilitations). The device being able to
store and show the energy that is being generated by the patient can create a motivation
score for them.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Pilot case. Energy harvesting applied to Foot Throttle
In the mechanical prototype of the foot throttle there is the possibility of replacing the
passive force done by the four pistons.
The pistons may produce an equivalent resistant force and necessary energy to
supply the electronic system.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Pilot case. Energy harvesting applied to Foot Throttle
The user performs some force at some
speed, that are the inputs in our
system.
position (sensor)
force (current)
speed (tension)
current
tension
We want to obtain the values of those
force and speed, and also position
data As some electricity is generated, we
can estimate the values for the force
and speed from the generated current
and tension. And the position data is
get with a sensor.
force
speed
Inputs Output data
Force
Force (by generated current)
Speed
Speed (by generated tension)
Position (by a sensor)
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Pilot case. Energy harvesting applied to Foot Throttle
Estimated results
Based on different user kinds, and considering mechanical and electrical efficiency of all
the device parts, we have estimated the power generation in the two allowed movements.
Estimated power generation
(vertical movement)
Strong user
5W
Estimated power generation
(horizontal movement)
Strong user
2W
Average user
1.5W
Average user
0.5W
Weak user
40mW
Weak user
30mW
Even in the worst case, the energy generation can allow feeding basic electronics to
acquire data.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Pilot case. Energy harvesting applied to Foot Throttle
Estimated results
The final purpose of this device is to acquire some data that can be used by the therapist.
That’s why we want to store, for each exercise, the number of cycles performed, force,
speed, position and time. This data is stored in the device and can be read from it or can
be sent to the therapist.
The autonomy of this device is the main advantage, so it can be used everywhere.
force
time
speed
cycles
Therapist
position
EVERYWHERE
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Business model Customer segments
First
approach:
end users
• Elder
people
• Diabetic
patients
• Patients
• Clients
Second
approach
• Therapists
• Healthcare
providers
It is known the decrease in strength (and quality)
of lower leg muscles due to diabetes mellitus as
well as age effects (elderly). For the former group
the ventral (anterior) muscles decrease more
rapidly than the dorsal muscles. For elderly the
strength of (leg) muscles is overall decreasing as a
function of age. Therefore a rehabilitation device
for lower limb at home can involve a higher quality
of life for those people.
Patients would be associated to rehabilitation,
while clients would be associated to preventive
care.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Business model Customer segments
• Public hospitals
• Private hospitals
• Rest homes
• Foundations / charity institutions
Working in those institutions:
- Physiotherapists
- Osteopaths
- Nurses
•Universities with healthcare education
•Professional Healthcare Schools
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Business model Customer segments
• Fitness centre / gyms
• Sanatorium = health Spa = convalescent home
• Individual clients:
- End users (patients or clients)
- Patients’ families
• Internet shops (for individual clients and institutions)
• Shops / institutions which are specialized in selling /
renting rehabilitation equipment
•Insurance institutions
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Business model Market potential Elder people
in Europe
in Spain
Total in
13.667.800 habitants of ≥65 years old
2012
Considering 20% of potential market means:
2.733.560 persons
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Business model Market potential Diabetic patients
Estimated evolution of Diabetes in Spain
People per year
Estimated calculation of 2.621.423
diabetic people in 2012
(hab)
Considering 20% of potential market
means: 524.285 persons
market potential
elder people
diabetic
Hugh potencial, and even more
if we think about clients (with
preventive and fun exercices)
plus patients.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Business model Key processes How do we get the market?
• Promotion: different ways to promote energy
harvesting to foot throttle can be done. Here we
list the most important, considered in
rehabilitation sector:
- Promotion to DMU (Decisions Making Units,
like physiotherapists and other medical experts,
insurance companies, hospitals, etc.)
Direct promotion (face to face)
Incentive programs
- Promotion to end users
Indirect promotion via DMU (personal
and non personal)
Indirect promotion via e.g. health and life
style related fairs and magazines
- Relationship building via
Professional guidance e.g.
physiotherapists
User friendliness of software
Regular software updates
Rewarding programs for discipline etc.
Distribution channels: most of them
are already existing (rehabilitation
centers, hospitals, etc.)
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Business model Key processes Business network
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
•Communication via
Physiotherapists: as they are the main link between rehabilitation devices
and end users
Health insurance companies: they can feed the organization with
complementary performances of the products
Media targeting elderly people and/or specific illness communities (for
example: Associació Catalana de Diabètics): magazines, web sites, etc.
•Relationship building via
Professional guidance by physiotherapists and other rehabilitation experts
User friendliness of software
Regular software updates
Rewarding programs for discipline and motivation (i.e. community games in
a common area to permit social contact)
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Business model Economic analysis
Calculation of ROI (Return Of Inversion): when doing the economic analysis of
ROI, we are thinking in manufacturers companies, which already have existing
manufacturing buildings and structure, and /or insurance companies, that should
subcontract the engineering costs.
• Estimated inversion for the project of device development: 700.000€ (that
includes engineering costs, certifications, and manufacturing tools investment).
• Estimated inversion for marketing: 240.000€
• Raw Materials: 350€ /unit
• Selling price (considering 10% margin for manufacturing area plus 20% for
commercial margin): 455€
• Sales forecast in Spain: considering that there is an estimated market of 3
million people on 2012, we expect the following sales:
1rst year
500 u
2on year
5.000 u
3rd year
20.000u
4th year
30.000u
5th year
100.000 u
(Selling the product, not renting it.)
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING - MRH
Business model Economic analysis
Sales (Units/year)
Incomes (€/year)
Year 0
0
0
Year 1
500
227.500
Year 2
5.000
2.275.000
Year 3
Year 4
20.000
30.000
9.100.000 13.650.000
R+D costs (€/year)
Manufacturing costs (€/year)
Commercializartion costs (€/year)
Other (indirect costs) (€/year)
Total of costs (€/year)
400.000
0
48.000
0
448.000
200.000
175.000
48.000
35.000
458.000
100.000
1.750.000
48.000
350.000
2.248.000
0
0
7.000.000 10.500.000
48.000
48.000
1.400.000 2.100.000
8.448.000 12.648.000
Economic results (€/year)
Acumulate results (€)
-448.000
-448.000
-230.500
-678.500
27.000
-651.500
652.000
500
1.002.000
1.002.500
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
ENERGY HARVESTING
Business model Economic analysis
As a first economic approach we can conclude that on the 4th year of the project
we would reach the break-even point. In this analysis we have to understand
some considerations:
• Economic analysis has been done considering a manufacturer structure already
existing, otherwise the costs would increase and break-even point would move to
next years.
• Economic analysis has been done without considering any cofounding of the
device: if there is a possibility of cofounding, the forecast sales would probably
increase, so the break-even point can move to previous years.
• In the sales forecast there is an important commercial step between year 4 and
year 5: if that becomes true, then it will be necessary to consider new
manufacturing inversions, as probably the manufacturers is not provided with the
needed infrastructure to give answer to this demand.
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
MRH-PROJECT
Any question?
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/
WP4 - meeting Pilsen - june 2011
MRH-PROJECT
Thank you for your attention!
Sònia Llorens – Carles Domènech
CDEI-UPC
http://www.cdei.upc.edu
http://www.cdei.upc.edu/