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Forum on International Collaborative Research in Rehabilitation
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(CASE STUDIES: SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION IN REHABILITATION RESEARCH)
Bernhard Graimann, Ph.D., Assistant Research
Scientist
Department of Medical Informatics, University of Technology, Graz,
Austria
Simon P. Levine, Ph.D., Professor
Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Biomedical
Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,
U.S.A.
Abstract
An international collaboration between the University of Michigan Direct Brain Interface research group and the Graz (Austria) Technical University Brain Computer Interface research group has been formed. Through this collaboration we have been combining our resources and expertise in order to advance our common goal of developing accurate methods of command detection for a direct brain interface that can be used by people with little or no ability to move. Over the past two years we have published a number of papers demonstrating the advances achieved through this collaboration. International travel funded by CIRRIE was a crucial step in initiating this collaboration, which is currently funded by the NIH. Early establishment of common goals; utilization of an internet-based communication platform that facilitates online meetings, discussion forums, and the sharing of resources; and travel between the international sites, have all been critical components for the success of this partnership.