Abstract:

The Neurobionics Lab is interested in understanding neural control of movement from the lens of mechanical impedance descriptions. The intent is to use these discoveries to design and control a new class of assistive technologies. These technologies would be capable of not only replicating the natural biological kinetics and kinematics, but also the underlying mechanical impedance properties. However, since many of the mechanical impedance properties are unknown, the Neurobionics Lab also seeks to supplement this philosophy with the design and control of technologies that cleverly implement or leverage mechanics. The purpose of this talk will be to discuss technologies that are currently being developed in the group and how they fit into the long term vision. The presentation will focus on three technologies, two ankle prostheses that are being developed, and a novel, inflatable actuator design for wearable robotics. In addition, the talk will also discuss more general, overarching research directions within the Center for Bionic Medicine at the RIC, as well as what skills are required for the design and control of wearable robotic systems.

Bio:

Elliott Rouse is the Director of the Neurobionics Lab in the Center for Bionic Medicine at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, as well as the Departments of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. The vision of his group is to discover the fundamental science that underlies human joint dynamics during locomotion and incorporate these discoveries in a new class of wearable robotic technologies. The Neurobionics Lab uses technical tools from mechanical and biomedical engineering applied to the complex challenges of human augmentation, physical medicine, rehabilitation and neuroscience. Dr. Rouse received the BS degree in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University in 2007, and the MS and PhD degrees in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University in 2009 and 2012, respectively. Subsequently, he joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Postdoctoral Fellow, working with the Biomechatronics Group in the MIT Media Lab until 2014. Dr. Rouse and his research have been featured at TED, on the Discovery Channel, CNN, National Public Radio, Wired Magazine UK, Business Insider, and Odyssey Magazine.