Developing the prototype
So everyone can grasp
Our story
From a research finding to GRASPAGAIN
It began with a possibility: decoding intended finger movements after spinal cord injury, even when the fingers could not visibly move. Could those signals help a paralysed hand grasp again?
October 2020
Neuroscience meets robotics
Alessandro Del Vecchio founded the n-squared lab at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg. Together with Prof. Jörg Franke and the FAPS chair, he started GRASPAGAIN, bringing neural interfacing and robotics together.
January 2021
The team takes shape
Jonas Walter and Dominik Braun joined the effort. A research idea became a shared development project.
May 2023
Medical Valley Award
Funding from the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy supported the development of a research demonstrator combining movement-intention decoding with a hand orthosis.
November 2023
A demonstration for the Federal President
At the Medical Valley Center Erlangen, the team presented the system to Frank-Walter Steinmeier. A participant with paralysis used it to move his hand in a live demonstration.
Since June 2026
EXIST-Forschungstransfer
Today, we are advancing the prototype towards a market-ready medical device and preparing the spin-off b2m labs. This phase is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Union through ESF Plus.
The Medical Valley Award phase was supported by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. The current EXIST-Forschungstransfer phase is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus).
Our team
We develop GRASPAGAIN
Our operational team brings together development, testing and business building. Together, we take our neuroorthosis forward, step by step.
Dominik Braun
Project Lead
Dominik Braun
Project Lead
He is responsible for corporate strategy and the development of biosensor technology and neural interfaces. He is currently pursuing a PhD in neuroengineering at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg. At GraspAgain, he is pursuing his passion for helping people regain their grip following paralysis. This is a goal he set himself even before he began his studies in medical technology.
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Jonas Walter
Technical Lead
Jonas Walter
Technical Lead
He is responsible for corporate strategy, with a particular focus on technology and the development of unique selling propositions. He is currently pursuing a PhD in mechatronics and previously headed the Medical Technology Research Group at the Chair of Factory Automation and Production Systems at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg. His interest in assistive robotics led him to study mechatronics and now drives our neuroorthoses.
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Nico Weber
Biomechatronics
Nico Weber
Biomechatronics
He is responsible for the development of the mechatronic components – specifically the hand module and the remote actuator unit – for GraspAgain. He is currently pursuing a PhD in the Department of Mechatronics at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, specialising in orthotic components. He was fascinated by moving parts from an early age, which is why he began his studies in mechanical engineering and graduated in medical technology.
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Pauline Wittermann
Rehabilitation Engineering
Pauline Wittermann
Rehabilitation Engineering
She is responsible for the use of GraspAgain in (neuro)rehabilitation. She is currently pursuing a PhD in applied neurotechnology for paediatric rehabilitation in cases of impaired hand function at the FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg. Initially, she was fascinated by cars, but her path led her into medical technology. Today, she gives her all for our young patients.
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Michael Amberger
Business Development
Michael Amberger
Business Development
Careers
Work with us on GRASPAGAIN
We are looking for people who want to bring neurotechnology from the lab into everyday life.
Our advisors
Scientific and medical expertise by our side
Our advisors support the team with experience from research, engineering and clinical practice.
Prof. Dr. Alessandro Del Vecchio
Scientific Advisory Board
Prof. Dr. Alessandro Del Vecchio
Scientific Advisory Board
He is responsible for researching new approaches to restoring hand function using neurotechnology. He is a professor and leading expert in neuromuscular physiology and its application in neural interfaces and motor control at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg. A former volleyball player, he is now a visionary in the field of assistive devices that enable patients to enjoy greater independence and a better quality of life.
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Dr. med. Matthias Ponfick
Medical Advisory Board
Dr. med. Matthias Ponfick
Medical Advisory Board
He is responsible for patient-centred development and ensures that clinical evidence is upheld. As a consultant at the Rummelsberg Multidisciplinary Centre, he maintains close ties with his patients and supports innovative research projects to ensure that those affected receive better care.
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Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Franke
Scientific Advisory Board
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Franke
Scientific Advisory Board
He supports the development of our neuroorthosis with his expertise in robotics and mechatronics. He heads the Chair of Factory Automation and Production Systems (FAPS) at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg. Drawing on many years of leadership experience in industry, he helps bridge academic research and practical engineering to create technologies that improve people’s lives.
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Our partners
Clinics, research institutions and orthotics partners support our development.
n-squared lab
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Germany
FAPS
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Germany
Querschnittzentrum Rummelsberg
Krankenhaus Rummelsberg GmbH
Germany
OrthoTechnik Rummelsberg GmbH
Germany
Praxis SCI Institute
Canada
VITREA Klinik Kipfenberg
Germany
Consultys medical
Germany
Where we stand
Our next steps
Now
We are refining the prototype and continuing studies with patients. The focus is on testing and improving the system.
Next
We plan to work with partner medical suppliers towards the first provisions as custom-made devices.
Longer term
Our goals are CE marking and inclusion in Germany’s statutory health insurance register of medical aids.
Location
Where to find us
You'll find us in the HTA building of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nürnberger Straße 74, 91052 Erlangen. We are on the 4th floor, room 04.012-1. Parking is available right by the building (see the sketch). Easily reached via the A73 (Erlangen-Zentrum exit) and from Erlangen station.
Your next step
Talk to us
Questions about the project, collaborations or from the press? We look forward to your message.