Trkov Group
Robotics & Physical Human-Machine Interactions
Welcome
Our research focuses on robotics and human-machine interactions in biomedical applications.
We use analytical and experimental approaches that integrate dynamics and control, mathematical modeling, and use of experimental platforms with human subject testing to develop new principles and tools.
These principles are applicable for robotic applications in autonomous systems, soft robotics, rehabilitation and biomedical engineering, and civil engineering fields.
Research interests:
wearable and assistive devices
human-machine interactions
soft robotics
robotics
mechanical design
system dynamics and controls
mechatronics
rehabilitation and biomedical engineering
ergonomics
biomechanics
LinkedIn - Mitja Trkov:
Biography:
Dr. Mitja Trkov is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering at Rowan University. He obtained his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ in 2016. He received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2007. Prior to his graduate studies, he worked as an R&D engineer in the naval industry. Before joining Rowan University, he was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT.
News:
2023/10/18 Our NSF funded soft robotics research and education project was advertised in Rowan Today and The Whit Online. Links: https://today.rowan.edu/news/2023/09/develop-soft-robotics-program.html
https://www.thewhitonline.com/2023/10/news/ru-introduces-soft-robotics/
2023/09/01 We are excited to announce that our lab received a grant award from National Science Foundation (NSF-CMMI, #2301816), titled "ERI: Human-Inspired Robotic Assistance to Prevent Slip-Induced Falls" (PI: Trkov). Link: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2301816
2023/09/01 Our lab welcomes Joshua Knospler , who joined our lab as a MS student.
2023/07/15 We are excited to be part of the project that received a grant award from National Science Foundation (NSF-DUE, #2235647) titled "Cultivating the Future Soft Robotics Workforce through Integrated Undergraduate Research and Education". This 3-year project is led by our collaborator Dr. Wei Xue (PI), Rowan University. Link: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2235647
2022/11/03 Our MS student, Ben Wechter, won the Best Student Paper Award from the Microelectromechanical Engineering System Division at the 2022 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE)! The paper is entitled ‘Cost-effective Soft Actuators using Nafion and Carbon Nanotube Electrodes.’ Thanks to our collaborator Dr. Xue from Rowan Univeristy.
2022/09/01 Our lab welcomes Vaibhavsingh Varma, who joined our lab as a PhD student.
2022/04/11 Our lab received a grant award from New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF) for project related to using soft robotic technology for pressure injury prevention. Link: https://today.rowan.edu/news/2022/04/njhf-awarded-grants-13-rowan-projects.html
2022/04/11 A collaborative project between Dr. Koohbor (PI, lead on this project) and Dr. Trkov (Co-PI) received a grant award from New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF) for the development of next generation orthopedic shoe midsoles for sports and clinical applications. Link: https://today.rowan.edu/news/2022/04/njhf-awarded-grants-13-rowan-projects.html
2022/04/08 A team of six undergraduate students working in our lab participated in the Locomotion Competition at the 2022 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft). See a video of the initial concept design here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l64byUTDdZY
2022/02/07 Our paper entitled “Classifying hazardous movements and loads during manual materials handling using accelerometers and instrumented insoles” has been published in Applied Ergonomics. Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103693.
2021/12/20 Congratulations to Chadi Ellouzi for successfully defending his MS Thesis entitled: "Algorithms for Rapid Trip Detection in Human Walking Using Inertial Sensors"!
2021/11/24 Our paper entitled "Balance Recoverability and Control of Bipedal Walkers with Foot Slip" has been accepted to the ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. Link: doi.org/10.1115/1.4053098
2021/ Our paper entitled "Wearable Knee Assistive Devices for Kneeling Tasks in Construction" has been accepted in IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics. Link: doi.org/10.1109/TMECH.2021.3081367
2021/06/02 Congratulations to Mahsa Raeisinezhad for successfully defending her MS Thesis entitled: "Design Optimization of a Pneumatic Soft Robotic Actuator Using Model-based Optimization".
2021/05/21 Our paper entitled "Design Optimization of a Pneumatic Soft Robotic Actuator Using Model-Based Optimization and Deep Reinforcement Learning" has been published in Frontiers in Robotics and AI. https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2021.639102
2021/04/16 Congratulations to Chadi Ellouzi for Best Presentation Award at the 19th Annual Regional National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Young/New Investigators, Salt Lake City, UT (virtual) for his work on "Rapid Trip Detection Using Dynamic Time Warping".
2021/01/18 Our lab welcomes Zachary Wagner (MS student) to join our lab!
2020/09/01 Our lab welcomes Benjamin Wechter (MS student) to join our lab!
2020/09/01 Our lab welcomes Nicholas Pagliocca (MS student) to join our lab!
2020/05/05 Congratulations to Ben, Kevin, Robert and Owen for accepted poster at the Undergraduate Student Design Competition to the AIM 2020 conference!
2020/05/02 Congratulations to Monika for accepted poster to Dynamic Walking 2020 conference!
2020/05/01 Congratulations to Mahsa, Nicholas, and Dr. Koohbor for accepted paper to the AIM 2020 conference!
2020/05/01 Congratulations to Monika, Duncan, and Michael for accepted paper to the AIM 2020 conference!
2020/01/21 Our lab welcomes Monika Mioskowska (PhD student) to join our lab!
10/17/2019 Presented a poster at the 2019 BMES (Biomedical Engineering Society) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.
2019/10/01 Our lab welcomes Mahsa Raeisinezhad (MS student) to join our lab!
2019/09/15 Our lab welcomes Chadi Ellouzi (MS student) to join our lab!
2019/08/01 Welcome to the website of the Trkov Research Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rowan University.