22/10/2026
BiRDLab Open Days 2026
🔬 BiRDLab Open Days 2026!
Have you ever wondered how robotics, artificial intelligence, and wearable technologies can help us better understand human movement and improve people’s lives?
On October 27th and 28th, we’re opening the doors of BiRDLab and inviting you to discover the exciting projects and technologies our team has been developing!
Throughout these two days, visitors will have the opportunity to:
🤖 Explore our research in robotics and exoskeletons.
🧠 Discover applications of artificial intelligence and wearable sensors.
🚶 See how we study human movement and rehabilitation.
💬 Meet our researchers, experience live and interactive demonstrations, and learn more about opportunities to get involved in our projects.
Whether you’re a student looking for a thesis topic, a fellow researcher interested in collaboration, or simply curious about our work, our doors will be open, and we’d love to welcome you!
📅 October 27–28, 2026 | All day
📍 BiRDLab – Building B, 1st floor, Room 1.07 | Campus de Azurém, Guimarães
🔗 Planning to visit? Register here: https://lnkd.in/eE__C94J
Come meet our team and discover how we’re turning research into real-world solutions. We look forward to seeing you there! 🚀
11/03/2026
Interview to Correio do Minho, by our PI Cristina Santos
31/10/2025
BiRDLab develops a lightweight and intelligent exoskeleton to support mobility
A wearable exoskeleton that feels like clothing — light, flexible, and adaptive to the user’s movement — is being developed at BiRDLab.
This innovative device aims to revolutionize physical assistance in both workplace and clinical contexts. Its mission: to enhance mobility, reduce physical strain, and improve quality of life for individuals with motor limitations or those working in physically demanding environments.
By combining smart textiles, wearable technology, and artificial intelligence, the project seeks to create an adaptive and intuitive exoskeleton that seamlessly supports the human body — offering assistance when needed and remaining invisible when not.
Led by our Principal Investigator, Prof. Cristina Santos, the multidisciplinary team includes researchers from the Departments of Industrial Electronics, Polymers, Textiles, and Production and Systems Engineering, and including BiRDLab members Joana Figueiredo, Ricardo Andrade and Sara Monteiro. The project is also supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and several industry and clinical partners.
This research represents a decade of BiRDLab’s work at the intersection of robotics, biomechanics, and assistive technology, transferring knowledge from clinical rehabilitation to industrial and occupational health applications.
📖 Read the full article
25/07/2025
BiRDLab featured on the radio!
We’re thrilled to share that BiRDLab featured on the radio!
Last Thursday (24/07/2025), our Principal Investigator Prof. Cristina P. Santos was featured on the UMinho I&D program by Rádio Universitária do Minho (RUM), where she shared insights into our ongoing work at the intersection of engineering, health, and robotics.
📻 You can still listen to the full interview here:
🔗 www.rum.pt/shows/uminho-id
13/03/2025
Our Collegue Cristiana Pinheiro Presented Her PhD Thesis!
We’re thrilled to share another round of exciting news from our research community!
Yesterday, we celebrated an important milestone at BiRDLab! Cristiana Pinheiro has successfully defended her PhD on “Wearable Multimodal Biofeedback for Personalized Post-Stroke Gait Rehabilitation,” marking the culmination of years of dedication, research, and perseverance.
We are incredibly proud of her journey and the impact of her work. This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds!
We wish Cristiana all the best as she embarks on the next phase of her career, and we look forward to her continued advancements in the scientific community!
06/12/2024
Sara Cerqueira Attended Prestigious MIT Event!
Sara Cerqueira, our PhD student at BiRDLAB, proudly represented our lab at the MIT Health and Life Sciences Collaborative.
This renowned event brought together innovators and thought leaders dedicated to advancing health and life sciences. Sara had the opportunity to explore cutting-edge ideas, connect with experts in the field, and contribute to meaningful discussions about the future of healthcare and biomedical research.
We commend Sara for her active participation and for showcasing BiRDLAB’s commitment to impactful research on an international stage.
19/11/2024
BiRDLab Goes to MIT, USA!
This week, our Principal Investigator, Cristina Santos, visited Boston, USA, to connect with the global research community. During her visit, she met with Sara Cerqueira, one of our talented team members currently working at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s MIT Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES), under a prestigious Fulbright Portugal Scholarship.
As part of this trip, Cristina delivered an insightful presentation showcasing some of the exciting projects 𝐁𝐢𝐑𝐃𝐋𝐚𝐛 is leading. This was a fantastic opportunity to foster new collaborations and strengthen our lab’s international presence, paving the way for groundbreaking research and innovation.
We are proud to see BiRDLab expanding its horizons, building bridges with global partners, and continuing to push the boundaries of research in biomedical engineering and robotics.
09/11/2024
Our PI Presented at MIT Portugal 2024 Annual Conference!
Celebrating Innovation and Collaboration in Robotics!
We’re proud to share that our Principal Investigator, Professor Doctor Cristina Santos, recently took part in the MIT Portugal Program 2024 Annual Conference as part of the panel “Innovative Frontiers: Projects Shaping the Future”, held on November 8, 2024. This inspiring event brought together leading researchers to discuss groundbreaking projects aimed at solving critical global challenges.
Cristina Santos delivered an insightful presentation titled “Pain and Physical Limitations Perception for Human-Sensitive Intelligent Collaborative Robotics”. We’re inspired by her work and the collaborative spirit of this event, which demonstrated the immense potential of Portuguese and MIT researchers working together to shape a better future for all.
08/10/2024
Our Collegue Simão Carvalho Presented His PhD Thesis!
We’re excited to share another remarkable achievement from our research community!
Our exceptional colleague, Simão Carvalho, has successfully completed his PhD in Biomedical Engineering, titled “Bio-inspired Control for Lower Limb Neuroprosthesis Towards Motor Reestablishment.” This impressive accomplishment marks the culmination of Simão’s pioneering research, which focused on the design and development of a bio-inspired control architecture for a wearable lower limb neuroprosthesis. His research proposes an innovative approach to promoting the reestablishment of motor pathways in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries (iSCI), utilizing non-invasive functional electrical stimulation (FES) tailored to each user. By offering personalized, muscle-evoking stimulation, his work highlights the potential for transformative advancements in motor recovery and rehabilitation. Congratulations to Simão on this extraordinary achievement!
01/10/2024
Our Colleague Diogo Martins Was Awarded at the Fraunhofer Portugal Challenge 2024
Congratulations to Diogo Martins for His Achievement in the Fraunhofer Portugal Challenge 2024!
We are thrilled to announce that our colleague Diogo Martins has been awarded 2nd place in the Fraunhofer Portugal Challenge 2024 for his MSc thesis, titled “Deep Learning-based Posture Recognition for a Holistic Ergonomic Assessment Framework”. This recognition reflects Diogo’s dedication and hard work in developing innovative solutions for ergonomic assessments. It serves as a testament to his commitment to advancing the field and provides renewed motivation to further his research.
Congratulations, Diogo, on this remarkable achievement!
06/09/2024
Our Colleagues Cristiana Pinheiro and Luís Moreira Presented Their Research at IEEE EMB's BioRob 2024 Conference
Our Team’s Contributions at IEEE EMB’s BioRob 2024 Conference
Today, we’re highlighting two remarkable contributions from our team at the IEEE EMB’s 10th International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob 2024), held from September 1-4 in Heidelberg, Germany.
Our colleague Cristiana Pinheiro presented her pilot study titled “A Pilot Study on Wearable Multimodal Biofeedback for Personalized Physical Training”, focusing on innovative biofeedback systems that tailor physical training to individual needs.
Additionally, Luís Moreira showcased his research titled “Assist-As-Needed Electromyography-based Control for a Wearable Ankle Robotic Orthosis”, which explores electromyography-based control systems that provide tailored support based on real-time muscle activity.
These studies highlight significant advancements in wearable technology and rehabilitation robotics, paving the way for more personalized physical therapy solutions.
23/07/2024
Team Bonding and Adventure in Gerês: A Day of Connection and Renewal
Team Bonding
On July 22nd, our lab took a well-deserved break for a day of adventure and bonding in Gerês. The day began with a scenic horseback ride at Pedra Bela, followed by a hike with Gerês Rails through hidden waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints. It was a day filled with fun, teamwork, and appreciation for nature.
We ended the day with a group dinner, reflecting on the experiences and strengthening our team bonds, leaving us refreshed and united for the challenges ahead.
03/07/2024
Our Colleague Ana Henriques Presented Her Research at ACM Conference
Our Colleague Ana Henriques Presented Groundbreaking Research on Parkinson’s Movement Rehabilitation at ACM Conference
Our colleague Ana Henriques had the honor of presenting innovative research at the 32nd ACM Conference on User Modeling, Adaptation, and Personalization. The work, titled “Combining Virtual Reality with a Biomechanical Model to Improve Parkinson’s Movement: Solution Proposal and Reference Learning Data,” explores how virtual reality can be integrated with biomechanical modeling to improve motor function in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. This project opens up exciting new possibilities in the field of movement rehabilitation. You can dive into the full paper here.
03/06/2024
Our Collegue Luís Serrador Presented His PhD Thesis!
We’re thrilled to share another round of exciting news from our research community!
Our esteemed colleague, Luís Paulo Pires Serrador, successfully defended his PhD in Biomedical Engineering, titled “A New System for Intraoperative Spine Balance Assessment,” at Universidade do Minho. This remarkable project aimed to design, develop, and validate a system to assist surgeons in achieving optimal outcomes during spine surgeries. The system incorporates real-time metrics to objectively assess spine balance during operations, utilizing information from the preoperative plan. Luís’ innovative work promises to bring meaningful advancements to spinal surgery, improving precision and patient outcomes. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to him on this outstanding accomplishment.
29/05/2024
Our Collegue Sara Cerqueira Has Been Awarded a Fulbright Grant
We’re excited to share another remarkable achievement from our research community!
Our PhD student, Sara Cerqueira, has been awarded a Fulbright grant for research. She will spend four months at MIT working on digital biomarkers and human-robot collaboration. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and can’t wait to see the amazing work that will be accomplished!
15/02/2024
We Have a New Special Issue!
We are thrilled to announce the opening of a new Special Issue from Sensors journal, titled “Applications of Smart Sensing Textiles for Assessment and Assistance of Motion”!
We invite researchers, scholars, and experts in the field to contribute their innovative research and insights in this burgeoning area of smart sensing textiles. Manuscripts can be submitted until August 31, 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your work and contribute to advancements in motion assessment and assistance technology! For more details and submission guidelines, please visit the Sensors journal website – https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors/special_issues/2HVS9L0Z0D.
Let’s shape the future of biomedical sensors together!
09/01/2024
Our PI Cristina Santos Presented our Robotic Cane Project on TV!
We are thrilled to announce that our lab’s Principal Investigator (PI) Cristina Santos had the honor of showcasing our groundbreaking project on the popular TV show “Manhã Informativa” aired on Porto Canal.
On January 9th, our PI passionately presented our innovative concept for a robotic cane, highlighting its potential to revolutionize mobility assistance technology. This invaluable opportunity not only allowed us to share our vision with a broader audience but also reinforced our commitment to advancing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the quality of life for individuals worldwide. We extend our gratitude to Porto Canal for the platform and look forward to further developments in our robotic cane project.
04/12/2023
Our Collegue Sara Monteiro Presented Her Master Thesis!
We are happy to announce that BiRDLAB has a new Master in Biomedical Engineering.
Our colleague, Sara Monteiro, has officially earned her Master’s in Biomedical Engineering. She wrapped up her studies with a bang, presenting her MSc thesis on “Human-in-the-loop Control for Lower Limb Assistance by an Exoskeleton.” Sara’s work is a standout contribution, highlighting her passion and expertise in exploring how exoskeletons can assist lower limbs with a human touch. Big congrats to Sara on this well-deserved achievement!
20/11/2023
Our Collegue Helena Gonçalves Presented Her PhD Thesis!
We’re thrilled to share another round of exciting news from our research community!
Our exceptional colleague, Helena Raquel Gouveia Silva Gonçalves, has officially completed her doctoral research in Biomedical Engineering, titled “Biofeedback Devices: A Contribution to Parkinson’s Disease.” This momentous occasion provided an excellent opportunity to delve into the culmination of Helena’s dedicated research, offering valuable insights into the creative application of biofeedback devices to address the challenges posed by Parkinson’s disease. This academic milestone not only highlights Helena’s unwavering commitment but also shines a light on the promising strides in biomedical engineering and their potential impact on healthcare. Heartfelt congratulations to Helena on this outstanding achievement!
13/07/2023
Our Collegue Roberto Barbosa Presented His PhD Thesis!
We’re thrilled to share another round of exciting news from our research community!
Our colleague Roberto Martins Barbosa presented his Doctoral research as part of the Doctoral Programme in Leaders for Technical Industries. The gathering provided a unique opportunity to explore the innovative developments in computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery. Attendees had the chance to delve into Roberto’s research findings, gaining valuable insights into advancements at the intersection of technology and healthcare. This event marked the culmination of Roberto’s doctoral journey, offering a glimpse into the future of medical diagnostics and treatment.
19/12/2022
Our Collegue Nuno Ribeiro Presented His PhD Thesis!
We’re thrilled to share another round of exciting news from our research community!
As part of the Doctoral Programme in Leaders for Technical Industries, our colleague Nuno Miguel Ferrete Ribeiro presented his doctoral research on “Senior-oriented robotic devices and algorithms for personalized fall prediction and prevention.” The significant event unfolded on December 19, 2022, at 2:30 PM, at Universidade do Minho, Campus de Azurém. The occasion provided a platform to explore innovative advancements in senior-oriented technology, specifically focusing on personalized fall prediction and prevention. Attendees had the opportunity to delve into Nuno’s research, gaining insights into the intersection of robotics and healthcare for the well-being of the elderly. This event marked a crucial milestone in Nuno’s academic journey and contributed to the ongoing discourse on technological solutions for addressing challenges faced by seniors.