Poznań University of Technology and the Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences in Poznań have joined forces to implement the OrthoHandVR project – an innovative system designed to support hand rehabilitation. The solution combines individually designed sensor-equipped orthoses, virtual reality technology, and a system for monitoring patients’ movements, enabling precise assessment of therapeutic progress.
The cooperation agreement was signed on July 15, 2026, at the Rector’s Office of Poznań University of Technology. On behalf of the technical university, the agreement was signed by His Magnificence Rector, Prof. Teofil Jesionowski, PhD, DSc, Eng., while the University of Medical Sciences was represented by Prof. Tomasz Kotwicki, MD, PhD, DSc, Vice-Rector for Development.
The OrthoHandVR project will be carried out at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of Poznań University of Technology, within the Additive Manufacturing and Virtual Reality Division of the Institute of Materials Technology. The project will run from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2027, with funding provided by the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (PFRON) under agreement No. BEA/000079/BF/D.
The main objective of the project is to increase the effectiveness of hand rehabilitation by combining exercises performed in a virtual reality environment with precise monitoring of patients’ activity and progress. This approach is intended not only to improve the effectiveness of therapy but also to increase patient engagement and motivation during the rehabilitation process.
The system is based on:
- 3D scanning, which enables accurate reproduction of the patient’s hand anatomy,
- automated design of personalized orthoses using parametric CAD models,
- the use of virtual and mixed reality technologies enhanced with gamification elements,
- 3D printing, enabling the rapid, cost-effective, and accessible production of orthoses.
The agreement provides for close cooperation between the OrthoHandVR team, led by Dr. Filip Górski, DSc, Eng., Associate Professor at Poznań University of Technology, and the research team at the University of Medical Sciences, headed by Dr. Magdalena Roszak, DSc.
The partners will jointly develop the system, provide expert consultations, test subsequent versions of the software, and prepare the documentation required to obtain approval from the Bioethics Committee for studies involving patients. Medical specialists will also be involved in the project and will be responsible for conducting clinical studies and evaluating the therapeutic solutions developed. The results of the collaboration will be presented in scientific publications prepared jointly by the partners.
The project is headed by Dr. Filip Górski, DSc, Eng., Associate Professor at Poznań University of Technology, from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. His research focuses on the use of 3D scanning and 3D printing technologies in medicine, as well as applications of virtual and augmented reality in biomedical engineering. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and distinctions, including the Scientist of the Future 2023 title, the R&D Impact 2022 award, and the Polish Future Product 2022 award for the AutoMedPrint system. He is also the initiator, co-author of the concept, and principal developer of the OrthoHandVR project.
The collaboration between Poznań University of Technology and the University of Medical Sciences is intended to lay the foundations for the development of an advanced hand rehabilitation system that combines engineering expertise with clinical knowledge. The ultimate goal is to create a more effective and accessible therapeutic tool supporting patients requiring upper-limb rehabilitation.
