Plenary Speakers

Abstract:
Neural disorders and old age limit the ability of humans to perform activities of daily living. Robotics can be used to probe the human neuromuscular system and create new pathways to characterize, relearn, or restore functional movements. Dr. Agrawal’s group at Columbia University Robotics and Rehabilitation (ROAR) Laboratory has designed innovative technologies and robots for this purpose. These technologies have been tested on subjects in a variety of studies to understand the human cognitive and neuro-muscular response. Human experiments have targeted patients with stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, Vestibular disorders, elderly subjects and others. The talk will provide an overview of some of these technologies and scientific studies performed with them.

Biosketch:
Sunil K. Agrawal received a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University in 1990. He is currently a Professor and Director of Robotics and Rehabilitation (ROAR) Laboratory at Columbia University, located both in engineering and medical campuses of Columbia University. Dr. Agrawal has published more than 500 journal and conference papers, three books, and 15 U.S. patents. He is a Fellow of the ASME and AIMBE. His honors include a NSF Presidential Faculty Fellowship from the White House in 1994, a Bessel Prize from Germany in 2003, and a Humboldt US Senior Scientist Award in 2007. He is a recipient of 2016 Machine Design Award from ASME for “seminal contributions to design of robotic exoskeletons for gait training of stroke patients” and 2016 Mechanisms and Robotics Award from the ASME for “cumulative contributions and being an international leading figure in mechanical design and robotics”. He is a recipient of several Best Paper awards in ASME and IEEE sponsored robotics conferences. He has also held international visiting positions that include Technical University of Stuttgart, Hanyang University in Korea, University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, Biorobotics Institute of SSSA in Pisa, Peking University in China. He has successfully directed 30 PhD student theses and currently supervises the research of 10 PhD students at ROAR laboratory. He is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal “Wearable Technologies” from Cambridge University Press. He is the Conference Chair for IEEE BioRob2020 to be hosted in New York city.

Website: https://roar.me.columbia.edu

Google Scholar Page:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=zavGyr4AAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

Abstract:
Wearable robots, e.g., in the form of powered lower and upper limb exoskeletons, promise to at least partially restore sensorimotor function in persons with stroke or spinal cord injury, thereby promoting their independence. While technology has evolved significantly over the past decades and an increasing number of products have entered the rehabilitation market, their application is still mostly limited to lab and clinical environments. Full wearability, critical for use in daily life, is often not achieved. Powered lower-limb exoskeletons are challenged in their ability to reproduce human gait and cope with daily “obstacles” such as uneven ground and stairs. In contrast, upper limb exoskeletons struggle to cope with the dexterity of the upper limb. This talk will present our efforts to overcome some of these challenges, through design tradeoffs, user-centered development, and benchmarking events such as the CYBATHLON, a championship for pilots with disabilities using state of the art assistive technology to compete in tasks inspired by activities of daily living. It will further propose ways in which our field could evolve to better promote access to fully wearable robots for assistance and therapy in daily life.

Biosketch:
Roger Gassert is Professor of Rehabilitation Engineering at ETH Zurich. He received an M.Sc. degree in microengineering and a Ph.D. degree in neuroscience robotics from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, in 2002 and 2006, respectively. Following postdoctoral positions at Imperial College London, UK, Simon Fraser University, Canada, and ATR International, Japan, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Engineering at ETH Zurich in 2008 and promoted to Associate/Full Professor in 2014/2019. His research is concerned with the development and application of robotics, wearable sensor technologies and non-invasive neuroimaging to assess, explore and restore sensorimotor function in persons with neuromotor impairments.

Roger Gassert is vice-president of the strategic advisory board of the CYBATHLON, a championship for people with disabilities competing with advanced assistive devices, and founding member of the International Consortium for Rehabilitation Robotics. He is member of the foundation board of Access for all and the cereneo center for interdisciplinary research in telerehabilitation, and advisory board member of the Innovation Centre for Assistive Technology of the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation. He also serves as Swiss National Contact Person for the Associate for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe.

Website: https://relab.ethz.ch/laboratory/team/roger-gassert.html

Abstract:
Robotic exoskeletons are an area of research and clinical care that has gained substantial attention and usage in recent times. Interestingly, the acceptance of these devices into everyday clinical practice and home use is still variable based on clinical research. The talk will discuss on how engineering and clinical science is being combined and performed simultaneously and sequentially to gain insight to clinical utility of wearable robots to specific clinical populations at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. We will discuss recent trials being completed at the AbilityLab and outcomes of these studies.

Background: Arun Jayaraman PT is the Director, Max Näder Center for Rehabilitation Technologies & Outcomes Research at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He is also an Associate Professor at Departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy & Human Movement Sciences at Northwestern University. Dr. Jayaraman’s group is a clinical lab that develops and executes both investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored research in prosthetics, rehabilitation robotics, and other assistive and adaptive technologies to treat physical disability. The lab conducts all its outcome research using advanced wearable patient monitoring wireless sensors and machine learning techniques in addition to the traditional outcome measures.

Abstract:
As leading automotive manufacturer, Ford has great expertise for production process and setting of requirement and testing on exoskeletons. Ford Manufacturing engineering have been investigating several (passive) exoskeleton. Review of advantage and disadvantages. Benefits and inconvenience for workers. Last results of the investigations and next steps.

Background: Program Ergonomist Eng. for VOME Trim & Final – Ford of Europe for 5 years. Nuclear Engineer with Master of Sciences degree from the Moscow Energetic Institute.

Relevant Experience: Since 2015 monitoring of design, development and manufacturing of new vehicles to meet the Ford Ergonomics Global Standards. Exoskeleton line trials, analyzing 14 different models (4 for back and 10 for shoulders) during Ergonomic support at Ford Valencia plant in Spain.

Spanish National Prevention Award ASEPEYO 2018 for investigations on exoskeletons. Collaboration with the Biomechanical Institute of the Valencia University and the Hamburg University. Holding of conferences and participation in several Exoskeletons Events in Spain and Germany.

Abstract: Exoskeleton technology must fit properly to be safe, reliable and effective. After observing and assisting users, producers, researchers, therapists, trainers, ergonomists and safety professionals fit and adjust exoskeletons for over 5 years, it’s become apparent that fitting exoskeletons is a skillful art. There are many factors that play a role in user acceptance and adoption, but one of the most basic things that can be controlled is the fit of the exo technology. Beyond each exoskeleton’s user manual and each exo producer’s guidance, there are few practical tips, guidelines or resources to help users and professionals properly fit and adjust exo technology. The science behind exoskeleton fitting is also limited. This presentation will discuss why fitting exoskeletons is a skill and an art, the science behind exoskeleton fit, why good fit is so important, and practical tips for achieving a good fit for every exo user.

Background:
Matt is the Director of Ergonomics and Human Factors at HeroWear. A distinguished ergonomics consultant for numerous industries, Matt ensures the voice of users and workplace safety always stay top of mind.

Prior to HeroWear, Matt was the Practice Lead for Wearable Technology and Exoskeletons with Briotix Health LLP. Matt has been an active member of the ASTM F48 Committee on Exoskeletons since its 2017 inception, and he is a founding partner of the ASTM Exo Technology Center of Excellence. Matt has provided consulting services for clients in many industries, including manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, distribution, construction, agriculture, wholesale and retail trade, transportation, municipalities, utilities, healthcare, office settings, and tactical operations.

Matt has presented work at ergonomics, workers compensation, rehabilitation, safety, and health conferences around the world. He has collaborated on work with various universities, agencies, institutes and associations.

Matt received his B.S. in Rehabilitation Science and M.S. in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University. He is a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F), Certified Workers Compensation Healthcare Provider (CWcHP), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), and Six Sigma Black Belt. He is also certified in all Functional Movement Systems screens, tests, and assessments (FMS, FCS, MCS, SFMA, and YBT).