Karma Yoğun Program Robotik Rehabilitasyon ve Beyin-Bilgisayar Arayüzü Uygulamaları (YAKINDA)
NeurotechEU Karma Yoğun Program
Robotik Rehabilitasyon ve Beyin-Bilgisayar Arayüzü Uygulamaları
Ders Açıklamaları
1. Genel bakış:
This course jointly developed by Boğaziçi University, Université de Lille, Radboud University, Universidad Miguel Hernández and Reykjavik University covers the neurotechnology dimensions Neuromorphic Control/Neurorobotics, Neuroprosthetics and Clinical Neurotechnology, and aims at providing the course participants a translational neurotechnology innovation-based training as well as an entrepreneurial approach to solving problems. Besides, the transdisciplinarity concept is introduced in order to emphasize the importance of purposeful, ethical and responsible innovation. The instructors are academics from participating NeurotechEU partnering universities from various backgrounds and expertise as well as PIs from the industry. The course comprises online and in person lectures and in the physical phase, several workshops in the form of hands on trainings in a professional test center as well as discussion panels and Q&A sessions, which aims to bring future innovators and today’s experts together in the context of real-life challenges and cross-sectoral solution providing applications. At the end of the course, the students will have the opportunity to share their impressions of the course, their overview of the future directions this course may serve in their professional development and get feed-back from the faculty collectively.
2. Ders hedefleri:
- Develop an entrepreneurial thinking
- Develop a purposeful, ethical and responsible innovation approach
- Learn concepts about musculoskeletal biomechanics and pathologies impeding motion
- Learn concepts about mobile robotics and navigation
- Learn concepts about medical soft robotics and exoskeletons
- Learn how to design RF based wireless sensors
- Learn concepts about brain-computer interfaces and their applications
- Experience working in a professional research center
- Develop collaboration and discussion skills with people representing different generations, cultures, and fields of science
- Learn how to use diversity and improbable encounters to develop business
- Create practical solutions to real-life challenges
3. Mode of delivery:
Students need to:
- Watch the pre-recorded lessons and read the materials (see list below).
- Join virtual classes (Lectures 1-9) via Zoom.
- Attend face-to-face classes (Lectures 10-13) in Boğaziçi University, South Campus.
- Attend face-to-face Workshops in Boğaziçi University, South Campus (Workshop 1-3), and MADE in NTSO Human Movement Analysis Lab in Boğaziçi University, Kandilli Campus (Workshop 4).
- Attend and participate in face-to-face Panel Meeting in Boğaziçi University, South Campus.
4. Period:
24.08.2026 - 04.09.2026
- Online phase: 24-28.08.2026
- Physical phase: 01-04.09.2026
5. Study field (students):
Open to students from engineering and science study fields
6. Level of studies (students):
Master and PhD, also open to senior Bachelor students
7. ECTS: 4
Workload:
- Training 50h (Online 25 h, Physical 22 h, Group work 3 h)
- Independent work (pre-recorded lessons, reading materials) 70 h
- Total number of hours: 120 h
8. Assessment:
In order to pass this course, the following assessment criteria will be used:
- Compulsory participation in the online and physical lectures
- Compulsory participation in workshops and groupwork
- Compulsory participation in the discussions in Future's innovators meet today's experts Panel Meeting
9. Grading:
Pass of Fail
10. Teaching Language:
English
11. Student registration deadline:
30.04.2026
12. Timeline:
Robotic Rehabilitation and Brain Computer Interface Applications being a Blended Intensive Program (BIP), consists of an online and physical phase. During the online phase (Lectures 1-9) students are introduced to concepts about musculoskeletal biomechanics, mobile robotics, wireless sensors, medical soft robots, exoskeletons and brain-computer interfaces as well as transdisciplinarity, entrepreneurship, and translational innovation. After Lecture 9, the course will continue with the physical phase at Boğaziçi University. This phase comprises of face to face Lectures 10-13 and Workshops 1-4, which have a focus on translational innovation, entrepreneurial training as well as hands on experience about the applied aspects of the technologies addressed in the lectures. The Wrap-up Panel Meeting, Future’s Innovators Meet Today’s Experts aims at bringing together all the faculty and students and each will be requested to report their impressions and outcomes of the course and suggested next steps regarding their professional development, followed by an open discussion.
Online phase (24-28 August 2026) | |
|---|---|
Date | Content |
24.08.2026 9:30-12:00 | Lecture 1: Introduction & essentials of musculoskeletal biomechanics (Can Yücesoy) During this lecture, students are introduced to the essential anatomical concepts, key determinants of muscular force and movement production and the relations of those to joint motion with the focus on lower extremities. Also, essentials of 3D human movement analyses and, the need for motion assistive devices, as well as robotic rehabilitation technologies will be discussed. |
24.08.2026 13:00-15:30 | Lecture 2: Concepts about entrepreneurship, translational innovation-1 (Ian Cameron) This module introduces the basic principles of entrepreneurial thinking, particularly in the context of bridging between the health(care) market and medical or health-related technologies coming from research. The goal of this lecture is to highlight the importance of thinking from the problem side of the market – and introduce some useful tools and frameworks to do so - in order to develop practical solutions to real-life challenges, while having to deal with the complexities of a medical technology at the same time. |
25.08.2026 9:30-12:00 | Lecture 3. Transdisciplinarity concept: purposeful, ethical and responsible innovation (Begüm Özkaynak) This module introduces transdisciplinarity as a framework for purposeful, ethical, and responsible innovation, equipping students with the conceptual foundations to distinguish it from multi- and interdisciplinarity and to critically apply its principles in designing reflexive, socially grounded responses to complex societal challenges. We will also use smart city development as a specific context to illustrate how transdisciplinarity can be effectively operationalized through the integration of diverse disciplines and societal actors. |
25.08.2026 13:00-15:30 | Lecture 4: Mobile robotics, perception and navigation algorithms, robotic rehabilitation devices (Sinan Öncü) This session explores the intersection of autonomous systems and assistive technology, with a focus on the fundamental principles of mobile robotics. We will examine the critical role of state estimation for perception, localization, and navigation in developing "autonomous" systems. The lecture further details how these perception and navigation algorithms are integrated into the control architectures of advanced rehabilitation devices, ensuring stable, real-time human-robot interaction and precise trajectory tracking for functional recovery. |
26.08.2026 9:30-12:00 | Lecture 5: Wireless novel wearable/implantable sensors-1 (Sema Dumanlı Oktar) During this lecture, students will get familiar with basic electromagnetics and how propagation differs near human body. Wireless links will be classified under off-body, on-body and in-body links and the utilization of these wireless links for sensing will be introduced. Standards on health and safety requirements for electroamgnetic exposure will also be covered |
26.08.2026 13:00-15:30 | Lecture 6: Concepts about entrepreneurship, translational innovation-2 (Ian Cameron & Asgeir Johnson) This module introduces the basic principles of entrepreneurial thinking, particularly in the context of bridging between the health(care) market and medical or health-related technologies coming from research. The goal of this lecture is to highlight the importance of thinking from the problem side of the market – and introduce some useful tools and frameworks to do so - in order to develop practical solutions to real-life challenges, while having to deal with the complexities of a medical technology at the same time. |
27.08.2026 9:30-12:30 | Lecture 7: Medical soft robots (Evren Samur) The softness of robots is important for safety in applications involving human-robot physical interaction. In this lecture, we will explore the principles of soft robotics and their biomedical applications, including rehabilitation robotics. |
27.08.2026 13:30-16:00 | Lecture 8: Designing brain-computer interfaces for immersive environments-1 (Hakim Si-Mohammed) During this lecture, the essential concepts of BCI will be introduced. |
28.08.2026 9:30-12:00 | Lecture 9: Exoskeletons and their BCI based control-1 (Jose Maria Azorin Poveda) This lecture highlights the transformative potential of BCI-exoskeletons in rehabilitation and assistance. Despite existing challenges, advancements in neuroscience, robotics, and machine learning are paving the way for more intuitive, effective, and widely accessible systems. The integration of BCI with exoskeletons promises a future where individuals with motor impairments can achieve greater autonomy and improved quality of life. This lecture aims to delve into the intricacies of BCI exoskeletons, exploring their types, uses, advantages, and implementation strategies. |
Physical phase - Boğaziçi University (1-4 September 2026) | |
| Date Time (Istanbul) | Content |
01.09.2026 10:00-12:00 | Lecture 10: Welcome, Novel biomechanical biomarkers to make a difference in rehabilitation device technology (Can Yücesoy) During this lecture, new viewpoints and methodologies developed and implemented towards a better understanding skeletal muscle mechanics will be discussed based on actual research findings. From this lens, the pathological conditions that can compromise joint movement and their relationships with musculoskeletal biomechanics will be addressed. Finally, these will be bridged to potential biomarkers that can facilitate developing novel rehabilitation device technologies that can make a difference in the industry and patient care. |
01.09.2026 13:00-15:00 | Lecture 11: Exoskeletons and their BCI based control-2 (Jose Maria Azorin Poveda) During this lecture, different examples of BCIs developed to interact with upper and lower-limb exoskeletons will be described. Not only the technical characteristics of the implementations will be explained, but also the advantages and limitations of their application to rehabilitation. |
01.09.2026 15:15-17:15 | Lecture 12: Designing brain-computer interfaces for immersive environments-2 (Hakim Si-Mohammed) During this lecture, the essential concepts of brain-computer interfaces will be discussed. |
02.09.2026 10:00-12:00 | Lecture 13: Wireless novel wearable/implantable sensors-2 (Sema Dumanlı Oktar) Examples of novel wireless wearable and implantable sensors will be covered. The lecture will include real life demonstrations. The students will get the chance to analyze the data collected from the sensors. Experience the problems encountered under realistic conditions such as variation from patient to patient, noise and interference, human acceptability. |
02.09.2026 13:00-15:00 | Workshop 1: Entrepreneurship thinking: the industrial angle-1 (Pablo Belmonte, Ian Cameron, Asgeir Johnson, Alper Sarıkan) In this workshop, students will be introduced to practical applications of entrepreneurial thinking and how such approach can be operationalized to develop practical solutions to real-life challenges, while having to deal with the complexities of a medical technology at the same time. |
02.09.2026 15:15-17:15 | Workshop 2: Digital design, IoT, final state machine concepts: the industrial angle-2 (Alper Sarıkan) In this workshop, students will be introduced to the fundamental building blocks of digital system design from an industrial perspective, including IoT architectures, embedded systems, finite state machines (FSMs), and end-to-end data flow concepts. Through real industrial use cases, key aspects such as hardware–software integration, reliability, scalability, and practical constraints encountered in field deployments will be discussed. The main objective is to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industrial reality, thereby enhancing students’ translational thinking and applied problem-solving skills. |
03.09.2026 9:30-17:30 | Workshop 3: Hands on training in MADE in NTSP: testing of exoskeletons, wearable sensors, combining motion assistive device and BCI technologies (Can Yücesoy, Alper Sarıkan, Pablo Belmonte, Hakim Si-Mohammed, Jose Maria Azorin Poveda, Sema Dumanlı Oktar) During this workshop, students will have the opportunity to conduct experiments in the human movement analysis center MADE in NTSP. The plan is to test motion assistive devices prototyped including powered ankle prosthesis, passive/active exoskeletons, wireless wearable sensors coupled with commercially available BCI devices, eye trackers and virtual reality equipment with the participation of healthy individuals and individuals with neurological conditions, depending on availability. |
04.09.2026 10:00-13:00 | Workshop 4: Group work during which the students prepare for the Panel Meeting (no faculty, students exclusively) This workshop is organized and executed by students as a preparatory event for the subsequent Wrap-up Panel Meeting. Volunteers to lead this event will be requested in the beginning of the Physical Phase. |
04.09.2026 14:00-17:00 | Wrap-up Panel Meeting: Future’s Innovators Meet Today’s Experts: Q&A, impressions and future directions (All faculty) In this panel students present their take home messages, what they benefitted from or inspired by the most from this training program and their possible future directions. This is followed by a Q&A session during which the students’ carrier building and professional development-based questions are addressed by the faculty. Student viewpoints regarding how the impact of the course can be elevated in e.g., the development of their creative thinking and collaboration skills, are particularly welcomed. |
13. Prerecorded Lessons:
Human Brain Project Online Course: Research, Ethics and Societal Impact
https://training.incf.org/course/research-ethics-and-societal-impact
12 lessons; total duration = 520 minutes
14. Reading list:
Transdisciplinarity
O’Sullivan, G. (2025). U-shaped learning: a new model for transdisciplinary education. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 182 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04478-8
Özkaynak et al. (2024). Neurochallenges in smart cities: state-of-the-art, perspectives, and research directions, Front. Neurosci., Sec. Neural Technology18, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2024.1279668
Biomechanics
Yucesoy C.A. (2010). Epimuscular myofascial force transmission implies novel principles for muscular mechanics. Exercise and Sports Sciences Reviews, 38 (3), 128-134.
Yucesoy C.A. and Huijing P.A. (2007). Substantial effects of epimuscular myofascial force transmission on muscular mechanics have major implications on spastic muscle and remedial surgery. Journal of Electromography and Kinesiology, 17 (6), 664-679
Kaya C.S., Bilgili F. Akalan E. and Yucesoy C.A. (2020). Intraoperative testing of passive and active state mechanics of spastic semitendinosus in conditions involving intermuscular mechanical interactions and gait relevant joint positions. Journal of Biomechanics, 103, 109755
Keles A.D., Turkoglu R.T. and Yucesoy C.A. (2023). The use of nonnormalized surface EMG and feature inputs for LSTM-based powered ankle prosthesis control algorithm development. Frontiers in Neuroscience 17, 1158280
Electromagnetics
Field and Wave Electromagnetics, 2nd edition, David K. Cheng, Chapter 8
Antenna Theory, 3rd edition, Constantine A. Balanis, Chapter 1 and Chapter 2
Robotics
Welch G. and Bishop G. (1995). An introduction to the Kalman filter, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA, Tech. Rep. TR 95-041. Online Available: https://www.cs.unc.edu/~welch/kalman/kalmanIntro.html.
Thrun, S. (2002). Probabilistic robotics. Communications of the ACM, 45(3), 52–57.
Argall, B. D. (2018). Autonomy in rehabilitation robotics: An intersection. Annual Review of Control, Robotics, and Autonomous Systems, 1(1), 441–463.
Cianchetti, M., Laschi, C., Menciassi, A. et al. (2018). Biomedical applications of soft robotics. Nat Rev Mater 3, 143–153 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-018-0022-y
Brain-machine interfaces for rehabilitation robots
He Y, Eguren D, Azorín JM, Grossman RG, Luu TP, Contreras-Vidal JL. Brain-machine interfaces for controlling lower-limb powered robotic systems. J Neural Eng. 2018 Apr;15(2):021004. doi: 10.1088/1741-2552/aaa8c0. PMID: 29345632.
Ortiz, M., Nathan, K., Azorín, J.M., Contreras-Vidal, J.L. (2021). Brain-Machine Interfaces for Neurorobotics. In: Thakor, N.V. (eds) Handbook of Neuroengineering. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2848-4_52-1
Entrepreneurship concepts - translational innovation
Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business Model Generation. Hoboken, New Jersey, USA: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
The Business Model Canvas. https://www.strategyzer.com/library/the-business-model-canvas
Mejtoft T. et al. (2022). Medtech innovation guide: an empiric model to support medical technology innovation. Health and Technology, 12:911–922
