Strengthening the System Foundation
Following the prototype milestone in Week 5, this week the ReNUSHU team focused on building the foundation that will connect gameplay, data tracking, and therapist interaction. Rather than rushing toward a playtestable version, our priority was to establish a stable technical and design framework to support future iterations.
Development this week centered on the heel-raise game (Butterfly Watching). The team refined the game logic and movement detection to ensure accurate input from the NuShu smart shoes, while also laying the groundwork for therapist interaction. Together with Conrad from Magnes AG, we confirmed the technical feasibility of a PT-facing interface, and implemented the core data communication system linking the game to this interface. The system now uses QR code pairing to connect devices on the same Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need for an external server and making setup simple and portable—an important step toward real-world clinical use.
Integrating Cognitive and Physical Training
Inspired by feedback from both our faculty and Conrad, we began planning how to deepen the cognitive training elements of ReNUSHU. Alongside physical exercises such as heel raises and stepping tasks, we are exploring memory- and attention-based challenges that can scale in difficulty and duration. These features will help players stay mentally engaged while reinforcing physical coordination, echoing our guiding principle that fun and focus drive real progress.
Clarifying Our Broader Vision
As the system architecture took shape, we also refined how to communicate ReNUSHU’s overall scope and future potential. The project is designed to serve across the full clinic-to-home spectrum:
- In-clinic, therapists can guide patients, monitor progress, and adjust difficulty through the PT interface.
- At home, users can continue independently, motivated by gameplay, feedback, and a sense of accomplishment.
This continuity of experience reflects the heart of our mission—to make rehabilitation accessible, motivating, and sustainable.
Communication and Next Steps
To support upcoming collaborations, we clarified our outreach strategy to PTs and clinics, positioning ReNUSHU as a project that invites professional feedback and co-development rather than formal partnerships. This open, research-driven approach has been well received by our faculty and external contacts.
Looking ahead to Week 7, the team will begin building the first visual prototype of the PT interface, translating our back-end data systems into a functional display where therapists can view performance metrics and adjust game parameters in real time.
As always, our work continues to be guided by our core belief:
From Rehab to Play, From Play to Progress.
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