Building Responsive Body-Machine Interfaces with Biosignals and Robotic Exoskeletons 

Workshop at BioRob 2024 | September 1, 2024 | 14:00 - 18:00 | Room HS4

Organizers: Ava Chen, Keya Ghonasgi, Lauren Winterbottom, Aaron Young, Matei Ciocarlie

Workshop Goals

Wearable robotic systems offer a unique capability to intricately monitor real-time physical human behavior by accessing biosignals encoded within. Previously challenging to measure, these in-situ signals are now directly accessible through sensors integrated into the wearable robot, such as encoders and force sensors. Advancements in data-driven methods for processing and analyzing this vast and valuable experimental data facilitate the understanding of human behavior and further allow the modeling and prediction of behavior over time. These systems also have the potential to offer feedback to device users that can support goal-oriented behavior change and improvements in function.

This workshop aims to highlight the potential unlocked by biosignals measured by wearable systems. We do so by bringing together researchers—engineers and clinicians—across various applications of wearable robots, including task assistance, physical rehabilitation, and skill enhancement. By exploring the common ground of biosignals sensing and analysis, this workshop will examine the challenges and opportunities in leveraging biosignals for the development of responsive wearable robot control. Speakers will showcase successful engineering and clinical solutions that utilize biosignals in the context of functional applications. Particular emphasis will be placed on the challenges associated with interpreting measured biosignals, focusing on data-driven generalization and personalization of responsiveness. The workshop will highlight the engineering challenges in the measurement and analysis of biosignals alongside the clinical complexity of the user-centric application of encoded biosignal information.

Poster Session

In addition to our 6 guest speakers, we aim to provide a platform for lively discussion on ongoing hands-on research. Students and postdoctoral researchers are invited to present posters and get feedback from our speakers and guests. Please submit a title and abstract (500 words) on your research to be considered for our poster session through this form. 

Confirmed Speakers

Workshop Program: 

14:00 - 14:05 | Workshop Introduction

14:05 - 14:25 | Robert Howe: "High Fidelity Bioelectric Signals for Wearable Applications"

14:25 - 14:45 | Stefano Tortora: "A Shared Intelligence Approach to Wearable Neurorobotics"

14:45 - 15:05 | Kinsey Herrin: "Combining Exoskeletons and Biofeedback to Make Gait Rehab 'Stick' for Pediatric Clinical Gaits"

15:05 - 15:30 | Poster Lightning Talks (4)

15:30 - 16:05 | Poster Session and Coffee Break

16:05 - 16:25 | David Reinkensmeyer: "Modeling Human Behavior During Home Rehabilitation with Wearable Sensors"

16:25 - 16:45 | Deanna Gates: "Toward Intuitive Bidirectional Prostheses Using Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNIs)"

16:45 - 17:05 | Laura Hallock: "Human–Robot Empowerment: Human Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling For Improved Collaborative & Rehabilitative Robots"

17:05 - 17:15 | Break

17:15 - 17:55 | Round Table Discussion: "How to Make Responsive Robots Truly Responsive in the Real World?: Barriers and Opportunities for Implementation" 

17:55 - 18:00 | Workshop Closure

Workshop Organizers