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In Singapore, the advancement of digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming crucial to address the challenges posed by an ageing population and increasing healthcare demands. As a leader in research and innovation, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) plays a pivotal role in harnessing AI and data analytics to elevate the quality of healthcare.
By collaborating closely with clinical partners and government agencies, A*STAR’s research institutes are driving significant improvements in predicting and diagnosing diseases, enabling personalised medicine, and enhancing remote patient monitoring.
One of the standout examples of its impactful collaborations is its work with a pioneering healthcare technology company and A*STAR spinoff. Carecam has made substantial progress through its partnership with A*STAR’s Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up) programme. This collaboration has been instrumental in refining their flagship product, the 3DGait, and supporting its growth trajectory.
The 3DGait is an innovative mobile application that leverages computer vision and AI to analyse walking patterns. By creating digital biomarkers, this app enables healthcare professionals to swiftly and accurately identify mobility issues, thereby enhancing patient care. Developing 3DGait required overcoming significant challenges in research and development to make the technology market-ready.
This involved creating a sophisticated machine vision system and a custom application for devices such as iPhones and iPads. Through the T-Up programme, A*STAR seconded Ramanpreet Singh Pahwa, Senior Scientist at A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I²R), to the company. His expertise was crucial in integrating advanced intellectual property into the 3DGait, improving its functionality and efficiency.
As a result, 3DGait now uses single-camera and 3D AI technology to provide precise analysis of human body motion, offering valuable insights into movement patterns and related disorders.
The impact of 3DGait extends beyond Singapore, with the technology being piloted in leading hospitals such as Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the National Heart Centre. Earlier this year, 3DGait was successfully launched in the U.S. market, where it has attracted interest from several major hospitals.
Carecam credits A*STAR’s support as crucial for the company’s success and expansion. Looking forward, the company plans to explore further partnerships with A*STAR, expand its developments with both local and U.S.-based hospitals, and engage in projects with the Diagnostics Development Hub (DxD Hub).
A*STAR’s collaboration extends to groundbreaking advancements in robotics through its partnership with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore. NTU scientists have developed RoboFabric, an innovative wearable material that combines the flexibility of cloth with the ability to stiffen on demand. This material, created through geometric design, 3D printing, and robotic control, holds significant promise for medical devices and soft robotics.
RoboFabric’s design is inspired by the protective scales of pangolins and armadillos, featuring an interlocking system of 3D-printed tiles connected by metal fibers. These fibers contract under negative air pressure, causing the tiles to interlock and increase the fabric’s rigidity over 350 times its original state.
This enhanced strength and stability make RoboFabric suitable for various demanding applications, such as customisable limb supports that can replace traditional plaster casts, providing flexibility and rigidity as needed.
Beyond its medical applications, RoboFabric has shown versatility in robotics. It has been used to create a tiny robot capable of climbing, swimming, and carrying small loads, making it ideal for exploration and rescue missions.
Additionally, RoboFabric can be utilised in drones as a gripper that picks up items when stiffened and releases them when relaxed, also serving as a shock-absorbing pad for hard landings. The NTU team is exploring industry partnerships to advance this innovation, supported by grants from A*STAR.
Through these collaborations, A*STAR exemplifies how strategic partnerships with institutions and companies can drive innovation, advancing both healthcare and robotics while addressing Singapore’s evolving needs.
