Medical Simulation

SCONE: Open-source Free Predictive Simulation of Human and Animals Motion

Hazem Abbas

Oct 30, 2024 — 3 min read

SCONE is a powerful open-source framework for predictive simulations of musculoskeletal models. It supports researchers in fields such as biomechanics, clinical research, and robotics by optimizing movement through advanced modeling.

SCONE’s versatility makes it ideal for investigating the effects of different treatments and enhancing assistive devices, as well as posing critical "what-if?" questions to explore how changes in model parameters impact movement outcomes.

How SCONE Works

SCONE scenarios bring together all the components required for predictive simulations, including:

Model: A representation of the human, animal, or robotic system being simulated.
Controller: This component generates inputs for the actuators in the model to drive movement.
Objective: Describes the goal of the simulation by combining multiple performance measures.
Optimizer: Optimizes free parameters in the scenario to achieve the specified objective efficiently.

Researchers can follow detailed tutorials, like the SCONE Basics, to build and customize these scenarios to fit their research needs.

Key Use Cases of SCONE:

Clinical Research: Supports non-technical users by allowing them to run predictive scenarios, such as treatment evaluations, using pre-defined setups.
Biomechanics & Neuromechanics: Helps researchers analyze neuromuscular control strategies in motion studies.
Robotics Research: Assists in developing optimized control strategies and studying interactions between humans and assistive devices.

Platform Compatibility and Performance

SCONE supports OpenSim 3, OpenSim 4, and Hyfydy models, delivering significant performance improvements—up to 100x faster than OpenSim. It is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, offering broad accessibility. The tool also includes a Python API, making it easier to integrate with machine learning workflows for advanced research applications.

Recent Updates and Publications

Version 2.4.0 Released (October 28, 2024): Enhanced features and support for all platforms.
Notable Publications:
- Plos One (May 2024): Study on balance strategies in elderly individuals under perturbation.
- Frontiers in Neuroscience (May 2024): Research on sensorimotor-enhanced neuromusculoskeletal models for postural control.

SCONE empowers a wide range of researchers, from clinical users to robotics experts, enabling them to predict, optimize, and better understand motion dynamics. Discover more or download the latest version here.