The MYR KIDS robot, developed by an R&D company operating within the Technology Development Zone affiliated with Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) and designed for children aged three and above, stands out with its adjustable structure tailored to children’s height, weight, and walking angles.

By mimicking leg movements, the device offers a realistic and safe walking experience and operates in two different modes: exercise and walking. Thanks to a system in which each joint angle, speed, and support force can be adjusted independently, joint range-of-motion and static stabilization exercises applied in manual therapies can also be performed using the device.

In addition, data such as the number of steps taken by children, joint range of motion, support forces, and speed are recorded, visualized in graphs, and presented to physicians. With its technical features and mobile usability, MYR KIDS, which is a world first in the field of robotic rehabilitation, was developed to enable children to receive physical therapy not only in hospital environments but also in their daily living spaces.

Stating that the Mobile Walking Robot is the result of approximately five years of work, Electrical and Electronics Engineer Mert Emre Taşkın said: “In our research, we realized that dependence on foreign sources in medical devices is very high and that robotic devices are extremely limited in accessibility. With this aim, we took the first steps of the Mobile Walking Robot (MYR KIDS) project. Together with our engineer colleagues, we designed the project. Then, by establishing our company with a businessperson, we completed our project after four years. We are now waiting for the completion of our certification process in the near future.”

A world first

Emphasizing that the Mobile Walking Robot is a world first, Taşkın said:

“Our device has two different modes: exercise and walking. In these modes, we can independently adjust the angle, speed, and support force of each joint. At the same time, we can perform the range-of-motion and static stabilization movements used during manual therapy on the device. With these features, it will be a world first among robotic devices. We can also conduct developmental monitoring. We present doctors with graphical data such as the number of steps taken, joint range of motion, support forces, and speeds, enabling them to monitor development. All existing devices are used on treadmills and, in fact, do not fully provide correct walking patterns. We tried to develop a device as close to natural walking as possible. By ensuring heel contact, we aim to contribute to the individual’s development. We attempted to create a device that closely replicates walking phases.”

“We want to take treatment out of hospital corridors and into daily life”

Drawing attention to the difficulties faced by children with walking disabilities in accessing treatment, Taşkın said:

“In our country, there are more than one million children with walking disabilities due to conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, SMA, and spinal cord injuries. The painful truth is that the literature shows early, intensive, multi-stimulus methods lead to significant improvements in functional levels, especially in children. However, 95 percent of these children in our country cannot access this treatment. This is because existing devices are designed for adults, bulky, fit only into hospital rooms, and are very expensive systems. Moreover, they are functionally limited and not specifically designed for children’s use. These devices are used in hospitals, in specially allocated rooms, on treadmills. With MYR KIDS, we aim to change this fate. With this robotic exoskeleton system we have developed, we want to offer this treatment to children aged three and above using domestic and national technology. The most important feature that distinguishes our device from existing solutions is its mobility. While in traditional treatments children receive therapy on a treadmill within four walls, often continuing the process with manual therapy, with MYR KIDS they can go outside, go to the park, and receive physical therapy while spending time with their families in the garden. We aim to take this treatment out of hospital corridors and integrate it into daily life. We want children to heal through socialization, because for a child, walking is far more than just a physical gain.”

“We want to make it accessible for everyone, not a luxury”

Stating that the system they developed was designed in line with modern requirements, Taşkın continued as follows:

“Technologically, we designed a system fully aligned with the requirements of our time. Our device can be easily controlled via a mobile application. Health professionals can adjust step length, speed, and support force according to the child’s needs through the mobile application. It can be adjusted according to the individual’s physical characteristics, enabling us to address broader populations. Most importantly, safety. Thanks to its algorithms, the device detects sudden muscle contractions in children and aims to minimize the risk of injury. Of course, in this process, we placed great importance not only on engineering but also on medical procedures. Our device was designed in full compliance with European Union regulations. All relevant electrical safety, software, and mechanical tests were conducted and approved by independent laboratories. All these processes were carried out in-house. We are working with our faculty members to scientifically prove the clinical success of our device. With the support of Assoc. Prof. Mahmut Yaran, Vice Dean of the OMU Faculty of Health Sciences, and Prof. Dr. İlker İlhan, we have completed our ethics committee applications. We aim to begin clinical trials as soon as possible. In addition, there is also a project we plan to implement with Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Emre Adıgüzel, Chief Physician of the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, with the support of the Türkiye Health NGOs Platform (TÜSEP). Beyond these, we aim to develop an adult version of this device and transformed versions of wearable systems. We also have an external artificial intelligence project that monitors patients’ development and recommends physical therapy programs accordingly. Our greatest dream and goal is this: to reduce costs through domestic production, remove this technology from being a luxury, and make it accessible to everyone. We will continue our work until there is not a single child in these lands who has not taken a step.”