‘SMART suit’ set to improve quality of life

SMA UK, Duchenne UK and the Inclusionaries Lab at Liverpool University have been awarded a £1.25m grant from the People’s Postcode Lottery to develop what they have dubbed the ‘SMART suit’, which aims to give strength, independence and dignity to people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and other progressive diseases. 

“We're positioning this as an assistive device to improve quality of life,” said Alessandra Gaeta, director of research at medical research charity Duchenne UK, which is leading the project.

DMD is a progressive muscle-wasting disease which typically affects boys, gradually reducing their ability to walk and, in later stages, to move their upper limbs. SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) is a rare neuromuscular condition that affects individuals differently.

Building on a proof-of-concept prototype developed in the US, the SMART Suit will use micro electric motor technology for robotic support and light weight, breathable and elastic fabric.  

The project aims to produce a suit that users can wear discretely under clothes on their torso to help aid everyday activities including eating, getting ready for school and social interactions like taking a call, texting, or waving to friends.