Engineering Perspectives on Rehabilitation Robotics: An Integrative Review of Control Strategies, Optimization Methods, and IoT-Enabled Platforms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31185/wjes.Vol14.Iss2.886Keywords:
Rehabilitation Robotics, Control Strategies, Optimization Algorithms, Cloud-Based Technologies, Patient-Centric Design, Multimodal Bio-Signals, Sustainability, AI Integration, Voice-ControlAbstract
Rehabilitation robotics has developed into an interdisciplinary field which uses mechanical design and control theory and optimization techniques together with information technologies to create better recovery results for people who suffer from motor disabilities. The present review assesses rehabilitation robotics research through engineering application studies which use more than 120 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2024. The discussion covers four main areas which include control strategies that start from basic PID methods and extend to sophisticated adaptive and intelligent control systems. The study utilizes bio-inspired and metaheuristic optimization methods to enhance system functionality and develop control paths. The system uses cloud and IoT technology to deliver remote medical monitoring services and perform data analysis and create rehabilitation systems which can grow in capacity. The study investigates new human-robot interaction methods which include voice-activated control systems. Existing reviews often address these aspects in isolation, but this work presents an integrated taxonomy and highlights cross-domain synergies that drive innovation in rehabilitation systems. The analysis reveals two research gaps which include researchers who study multimodal biosignal integration with real-time adaptive control and researchers who need to create affordable modular systems for use in resource-limited environments. The findings of this review present engineering-based evidence which shows the requirements for building intelligent accessible and sustainable rehabilitation robots of the future.
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