Professor, Joseph Anderer Faculty Fellow
School of Mechanical Engineering
School of Biological Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology
Greg Sawicki is a researcher focused on the mechanics, energetics, and control of terrestrial locomotion. His doctoral work used powered exoskeletons to investigate the role of ankle joint mechanical power in the metabolic cost of walking.
His current research seeks to uncover physiological principles underlying locomotion and translate them into the design of lower-limb robotic devices that enhance both healthy and impaired mobility. Emphasizing the human–machine interface, his work advances symbiotic exoskeletons that integrate seamlessly with human physiology.
He is particularly interested in the mechanics and control of compliant muscle–tendon units, especially the ankle plantarflexors. Combining mathematical modeling with experimental studies in humans and animal models, his research explores how elastic mechanisms enable efficient force production and optimal energy transfer during assisted locomotion.