Parkinson’s Foundation supports collaboration between MPI-IS, Uni Stuttgart and Uni Tübingen

The Parkinson's Foundation announces the winners of its Innovation Awards for 2025/2026. From a total of 16 project applications submitted, three outstanding research projects were selected to receive a total of €250,000 in funding. The awards recognise innovative approaches to Parkinson's research and underscore the Foundation's commitment to scientific progress in line with its motto ‘Research. Inform. Help those affected.’

The special Parkinson's Tremor Research Prize goes to three researchers involved in BITS, the Bionic Intelligence Tübingen Stuttgart research network: Dr Alona Shagan Shomron from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Prof. Dr Syn Schmitt from the University of Stuttgart and to Prof. Dr Daniel Häufle from the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen for the project ‘Next generation of soft wearable assistive devices for tremor suppression based on electrohydraulic actuators.’

The award recognises a scientifically sound concept for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's tremor, which could represent an alternative to deep brain stimulation.

https://www.parkinsonstiftung.de/forschungspreis-tremor/

Many people with Parkinson’s disease or other conditions experience tremor – involuntary shaking that makes everyday activities such as eating or writing extremely difficult. Medications or surgical interventions can help some individuals, but they are not suitable for everyone and often come with side effects.

"Our research team is therefore developing new approaches for soft, wearable assistive systems powered by “artificial muscles.” These systems are designed to detect tremor movements in real time and counteract them with precise forces. In this way, people affected by tremor could regain greater control and safety in their daily lives," says Alona Shagan.

The team's prototypes developed so far are lightweight, silent, and flexible – unlike many conventional devices that are often heavy, uncomfortable, or impractical. Their vision is a comfortable, everyday sleeve that provides lasting relief for patients.

"We sincerely thank the Parkinson’s Foundation for awarding us the Innovation Prize in the category Parkinson’s Tremor. This support enables us to take the next step: improving the interaction of sensors, actuators, and comfort, and developing wearable prototypes suitable for everyday use. We believe that artificial muscles – slim, silent, and powerful – can lay the foundation for a new generation of assistive devices for tremor suppression," Alona Shagan concludes.