LUMIN: an open source dynamic reconfigurable lightboard for neurorehabilitation and athletic training

Lightboards are commonly used in neurorehabilitation and athletics to assess improved volitional task function, hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and reaction time. Current commercial products are expensive, large, static, and not open sourced. In this work, we present a Lightboard Unit for Movement and Integrated Neurorehabilitation (LUMIN), a low cost, open source, and accessible lightboard for neurorehabilitation and athletic training alike. LUMIN uses a motorized mechanical superstructure that allows for rotational movement and radial expansion of the interactive LED components. These capabilities allow the device to adapt to each individual user's anthropometry and tasks. The device uses an Arduino based microcontroller, stepper motor controlled linear and rotational mechanisms, and tactile Push Button RGB LEDs to allow for adjustable interactive programming. The device was fabricated using commercially sourced components and materials, costing approximately $900. Performance of the device demonstrates controlled linear and angular movements, low LED latency, and a workspace accessible for a broad range of user wingspans while remaining lightweight and portable compared to existing commercial systems. All of the design files were released under an open-source license to promote reproducibility and further research in neurorehabilitation and eventually human performance training. The goals for this device were to construct and test system performance. While future studies will use the lightboard to compare performance from a user-perspective vs. existing systems.