Kuala Lumpur: Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) has developed rehabilitation equipment to assist patients needing physiotherapy treatment.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, project leader Associate Prof Dr Mariam Md Ghazaly stated that the collaborative effort with the Serkam State Constituency Development and Coordination Committee (Japerun) office aims to enhance the effectiveness of physiotherapy rehabilitation for the local B40 community. By applying UTeM’s engineering expertise, several high-tech rehabilitation devices have been developed, including two innovative leg rehabilitation devices designed to accelerate recovery for stroke, accident, or surgery patients.

The devices include the Wearable Assistive Lower Limb Exoskeleton (WALLEs) and the Assistive Lower Limb Chair (ALLC). Additionally, UTeM has contributed hand rehabilitation tools and various other physiotherapy support equipment to help improve patients’ quality of life. The research team also conducted a demonstration for the automatic hand rehabilitation gloves. Under this initiative, 40 patients in the area have access to the physiotherapy equipment, providing them with new hope for a smoother recovery process.

This project is funded through the Public University Community Programme (Komuniti@Unimadani) grant Phase 2, 2024 from the Finance Ministry, channelled via the Centre for Collaboration Management (RICE), UTeM. Meanwhile, UTeM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Massila Kamalrudin noted that these innovative products and research have the potential to be expanded internationally. Research efforts that deliver direct benefits to the community continue to be actively and consistently pursued by UTeM, including through this programme. The initiative not only provides recovery support but also strengthens UTeM’s relationship with the local community and ensures that the institution’s expertise can be fully utilised by the people of Melaka.