HARIA re-defines the nature of physical human-robot interaction (HRI), laying the foundations of a new research field, i.e., human sensorimotor augmentation, whose constitutive elements are: i) AI-powered wearable and grounded supernumerary robotic limbs and wearable sensorimotor interfaces; ii) methods for augmentation enabling users to directly control and feel the extra limbs exploiting the redundancy of the human sensorimotor system through wearable interfaces; iii) clear target populations, i.e., chronic stroke and spinal cord injured individuals, and real-world application scenarios to demonstrate the extraordinary value of the paradigm shift that HARIA represents in HRI and the great impact on the motivation to re-use the paretic arm(s), with consequent improvement of the quality of life. Supernumerary limbs will be partially controlled by artificial intelligence, and partially under the direct control of the human who gains the agency of some motion parameters of the supernumerary limbs. From the control point of view, it is fundamental to find the right trade-off between motion task parameters that are controlled by the user, and the level of robot autonomy. This interplay is enabled by the wearable sensorimotor interface that establishes a connection between the human sensorimotor system and the system of actuators and sensors of the robot, allowing reciprocal awareness, trustworthiness and mutual understanding. HARIA finds its natural application in assisting people with uni- or bi-lateral upper limbs chronic motor disabilities. Technology and methodology developments will follow a user-centered design approach, as only patients with disabilities are fully aware of their real (still unmet) needs in real life activities. This project will also go beyond the application to health, starting a new era of intuitive and seamless human-robot augmentation by wearable sensorimotor interfaces and supernumerary limbs.

The area of disability includes physical, mental, developmental and age-related disorders. People facing these problems, encounter several major obstacles that prevent them from seamlessly integrating in society. Nowadays more and more of these people have their capabilities, rather than their disabilities, recognized and accepted by the general public. The rapid technological advance of past decades, has also triggered a dramatic progress in technology usage for assistive and training purposes. Since true inclusiveness, and deinstitutionalization process pass through all the professionals involved in the care of persons with disabilities, from the lowest levels to the highest ones, there is an increasing need to integrate existing skills, with new approaches and competences, able to properly meet these new challenges. New and up to date training curricula need to be developed, to respond to the needs of social care employees and properly take advantage of new opportunities offered by technologies. DDSKILLS project, aims to develop an Alliance for providing new competences and skills for Health and Social care sector professionals supporting persons with Disabilities and Mental Health Problems. Within the proposed training qualification of DDSKILLS project, skills shortages will be verified and addressed on EU scale, relevant knowledge and learning outcomes will be discussed and finally mapped to ECVET points and EQF levels and project will be promoted at European Level. Professional caregivers (Occupational therapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Special education teachers, Nurses, Gerontologists, Rehabilitation experts) will be able to follow these courses to learn how the use of new technological devices(sensors, assistive devices, robots, virtual and augmented reality headsets, brain Computer Interfaces).