From labs in Romania to World Expo Osaka: The medical technology that restores the sense of touch to people with amputations, invented in Romania

The World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, stands as one of the most influential global platforms dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and the future of society. Organized under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the event brought together cutting-edge technologies and visionary initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges.

During the Health and Well-being Week, one of the Expo’s most impactful thematic programs, the NerveRepack project was presented as a leading example of how interdisciplinary research can redefine the future of healthcare and neurorehabilitation.

Romanian Innovation on a Global Stage

On July 7, 2026, AREUS Technology, together with its partners from the international NerveRepack consortium, announced the successful completion of a critical testing and characterization phase for a new generation of implantable electrodes designed for human nerves.

This breakthrough technology enables stable bidirectional communication between the human nervous system and robotic prostheses, allowing patients with amputations to regain not only movement but also a real sense of touch. The innovation was prominently showcased at Expo 2025 Osaka, positioning Romanian medical technology at the forefront of global attention.

Presented within the Romanian Pavilion, the project demonstrated a fully functional ecosystem, including:

• A next-generation exoprosthesis capable of natural, fluid movement.
• A sensor-equipped glove that mirrors the movement of the healthy limb in real time.
• A surgically implantable module enabling direct communication with the nervous system.

From Laboratory Validation to Real-World Impact

Before being considered ready for human implantation, the electrodes underwent months of rigorous validation processes in specialized laboratories. These included mechanical, electrical, and electrochemical testing designed to simulate real conditions inside the human body.

The devices were subjected to repeated stress cycles such as bending, stretching, and traction, while being immersed in controlled solutions replicating the body’s chemical environment and exposed to continuous electrical currents.

Beyond immediate functionality, researchers validated the long-term predictability of material behavior at the surface level. This eliminated the risk of potential fluctuations that could lead to signal loss or adverse reactions in nerve tissue, ensuring a high level of safety ahead of future clinical trials involving forearm amputees.

AI-Driven Neuroprosthetics

A defining feature of the NerveRepack system is its integration of artificial intelligence. The bionic hand incorporates an AI module that learns and adapts to the user’s movement patterns, correlating them with neural signals captured from the nerves.

This enables progressive adaptation to each individual patient, transforming the prosthesis into a highly personalized and responsive system. The result is intuitive control with minimal latency, significantly improving user experience and functionality.

At its core, NerveRepack introduces a paradigm shift in neurorehabilitation through its advanced wireless interface. Motor signals are transmitted directly from the nerves to the prosthesis for immediate control, while tactile feedback, such as pressure, vibration, and texture, is sent back from the prosthetic sensors to the nervous system.

Live Demonstrations at Expo 2025

Throughout the Expo, the NerveRepack consortium, bringing together AREUS, the National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies (IMT Bucharest), the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, the Academy of Medical Sciences in Romania, OSTEOPHARM, and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, engaged with a diverse international audience.

Live demonstrations played a central role, offering visitors direct insight into how the prosthesis mirrors the movements of a healthy hand in real time. These demonstrations highlighted the system’s precision, responsiveness, and potential to restore natural motor function.

Recognition in Global Health Dialogue

A key milestone at Expo 2025 was NerveRepack’s participation in the high-level panel “Global Health Equity and Access for All,” part of the Visionary Exchange sessions.

Dr. Octavian Ionescu of IMT Bucharest represented the project, emphasizing both its scientific significance and its societal impact. The discussion brought together global experts focused on reducing healthcare disparities and advancing accessible medical technologies.

The project’s presence in this forum reinforced Romania’s growing role in high-impact biomedical innovation and its contribution to solving global healthcare challenges.

A European Vision for Neurotechnology

“After years of testing on animals alongside leading surgeons in Romania and top neuroscience researchers in Europe, we are proud that Areus can present this technological innovation on an international stage. The project will move into its next development phases, showcasing the potential of a European ‘neural link’ concept, developed here in Romania,” said Cătălin Niculae, CEO of AREUS Technology.

Redefining the Future of Prosthetics

Patient safety has been the absolute priority throughout development, with strict adherence to biocompatibility standards required for implantation in the human body. The result is a system that responds naturally and intuitively, without delays or errors, offering an experience that closely resembles that of a natural limb.

By restoring both motor control and tactile sensation, NerveRepack transforms prosthetic devices from rigid tools into integrated extensions of the human body, suitable for everyday use and capable of significantly improving quality of life.

Expanding Global Collaboration

Participation at Expo 2025 significantly increased the visibility of the NerveRepack project, opening new opportunities for collaboration with international researchers, healthcare institutions, and technology leaders.

These connections are expected to drive future research partnerships, pilot programs, and clinical advancements, accelerating the path toward real-world implementation.