VIRTEX is a smart rehabilitation system that combines EMG-enabled wearables and VR therapy to assist upper limb injury recovery. The smart sleeve monitors muscle engagement, while the VR headset provides real-time guidance, ensuring precise rehabilitation. A companion app enables remote monitoring, allowing physiotherapists to track progress and adjust treatments, reducing hospital visits. VIRTEX aligns with China’s push for digital healthcare solutions, improving accessibility and efficiency in rehabilitation.

With over 68% of rehabilitation cases related to upper limbs, China faces a shortage of rehabilitation resources, leading to long waiting times and limited access outside major cities. Many patients struggle with low adherence due to a lack of motivation, while inefficient tracking makes it difficult for physiotherapists to monitor progress. These challenges call for accessible, engaging, and technology-driven rehabilitation solutions.

VIRTEX provides guided, self-managed rehabilitation through smart wearables and VR technology. The EMG-based sleeve ensures correct muscle activation, preventing improper recovery, while the VR system offers interactive exercises that improve engagement. Remote monitoring enables physiotherapists to track patient performance and adjust rehabilitation plans without frequent hospital visits. The gamified experience, featuring progress tracking, scoring, and leaderboards, enhances motivation and adherence, making home-based rehabilitation more effective.

VIRTEX has the potential to expand into lower limb, post-surgical, and neurological rehabilitation while integrating AI-driven adaptive therapy. Its adoption in public healthcare systems could reduce strain on hospitals and make rehabilitation more accessible. Additionally, VIRTEX can support telemedicine applications, such as home-based therapy and elderly care, advancing China’s digital healthcare infrastructure. As China continues to develop smart healthcare, VIRTEX offers a scalable, innovative rehabilitation model, improving patient outcomes while alleviating pressure on the medical system.

We are a dynamic, interdisciplinary team from the MA Design for Industry 5.0 program at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (UAL). With expertise spanning product design, visual communication, fashion design, and industrial design, we integrate diverse perspectives to drive innovative, human-centered solutions. Rooted in collaborative design thinking, we bridge traditional culture and emerging technologies to create impactful, culturally resonant, and forward-thinking solutions. Our mission is to transform everyday experiences through design-driven innovation, addressing real-world challenges with creativity and precision.