Limbitless Solutions, a nonprofit and direct support organization at the University of Central Florida (UCF), and two affiliated UCF faculty members have received $85,000 in philanthropic grant funding for their prosthetic arm training video game, Quantum’s Pursuit.
The project was selected as one of eight winners amongst nearly 500 entries for the 2023 Unity for Humanity Grant, designed to empower storytellers and changemakers to use their skills to make the world more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable. Projects were judged based on vision, impact, inclusion, and viability. In addition to the grant funding, winners will also receive mentorship and technical support to help bring their projects to distribution.
“We are beyond ecstatic about this grant support from Unity,” says Matt Dombrowski, head of creative arts and media at Limbitless Solutions and associate professor at UCF’s School of Visual Arts and Design. “Not only will this game continue to empower and benefit those in the limb difference community that Limbitless Solutions serves, but it will also fully fund internships for multidisciplinary UCF undergraduate students over multiple semesters.”
Led by Dombrowski and Peter Smith, PhD, head of game development and training at Limbitless Solutions and associate professor at the university’s Nicholson School of Communication and Media, Quantum’s Pursuit users play the game as the limb-different grandchildren of Dr. Quantum, a tech genius and wizard who has developed renewable quantum energy. Dr. Quantum has been kidnapped by evil Galacdorks trying to steal his invention, and it’s the player’s goal to journey through different levels, solve clues, and upgrade their tech before confronting the villain and saving Dr. Quantum.
Limbitless Solutions’ games research utilizes a proprietary system to convert a muscle flex signal from a single electromyographic (EMG) sensor into gameplay activity, the same type of technology used to control the Limbitless bionic arm. With gamified training using the same type of EMG technology, children can practice how to control their prostheses and earn achievements and unlock more complex levels that correspond to muscle gestures.
“Learning how to use a prosthetic, no matter how old you are, can be a difficult process,” Smith says. “At Limbitless, we want to create an enjoyable and immersive way for our bionic kids to get to know their new bionic arms, while also gaining key insights about each of their specific needs.”
The company is launching a clinical trial in partnership with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital to evaluate the effectiveness of its video game-based training.
Editor’s note: This story was adapted from materials provided by the University of Central Florida.
