How the AI-Hand Project Puts Patients First – Interview with Christine Azevedo, Part 2
In the second part of our interview series, Christine Azevedo from Inria shares a deeply human perspective on the AI-Hand project – an ambitious initiative to restore hand and wrist movement for people with tetraplegia.
Christine begins by explaining the condition itself and the goal of the project: to help patients regain control over small but meaningful movements. These steps are built gradually, always with the patient’s personal goals in mind – until they’re happy with what the technology enables them to do.
One of the most touching examples she shares is about Maxime, a patient whose dream was to be able to fish again. The team built a custom setup with a fishing rope to help him achieve that goal. These kinds of tasks go far beyond technical challenges – they’re about restoring independence, dignity, and joy.
Christine also talks about the strong bonds formed with patients, who spend a lot of time with the research teams. Each patient brings a unique task, and each task brings new scientific insights that will help shape future solutions – not just for tetraplegia, but for other indications as well.
CorTec has been part of this journey from the beginning, providing cuff electrodes and working closely with the team to explore ideas and possibilities. It’s a long-standing collaboration built on trust, shared experience, and a common mission.
We thank Christine for this inspiring conversation – and all our partners in the AI-Hand project for their dedication to building neurotechnology that truly makes a difference.
More information about the AI-Hand Project can be found here: www.aihand.eu
Watch the full interview on youtube now!
