A team of researchers at the University of Maryland (UMD) is developing an innovative robotic tool to help people with mobility impairments feed themselves independently. Led by doctoral student Amisha Bhaskar, the project aims to overcome limitations in existing robotic-assisted feeding technology.

Unlike current commercial robotic arms with fixed, pre-programmed motions, the UMD team's system employs advanced computer vision, artificial intelligence, and deep neural networks to adapt to various food types and textures. Their goal is to create a robot capable of clearing an entire plate, handling everything from liquids to complex dishes like ramen.

The team's work gained recognition at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2024) in Yokohama, Japan, where their paper received top honors in a specialized workshop on cooking and robotics.

Dr. Pratap Tokekar, associate professor of computer science at UMD, emphasized the project's interdisciplinary nature, combining computer vision, AI, and mechanical engineering. While still years away from real-world application, the research shows promising progress in improving the lives of older adults and individuals with mobility issues.

This development represents a significant step forward in assistive technology, potentially offering greater independence to those who struggle with self-feeding.