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Design, Technology , and Engineering benefitting individuals with disabilities and older adults in the local community
February 25, 2020    
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Perspectives is the newsletter of the Stanford course,
Perspectives in Assistive Technology.

Designing Exoskeletons and Prosthetic Limbs that Enhance Human Performance

This issue invites you to attend the next class session.

Perspectives in Assistive Technology is a Winter Quarter Stanford course - entering its fourteenth year - that explores the design, development, and use of assistive technology that benefits people with disabilities and older adults. It consists of semi-weekly classroom discussions; lectures by notable professionals, clinicians, and assistive technology users; tours of local medical, clinical, and engineering facilities; student project presentations and demonstrations; an Assistive Technology Faire; and a film screening.

Next class session - Thursday, February 27th at 4:30pm

Photo of Steve Collins


Designing Exoskeletons and Prosthetic Limbs that Enhance Human Performance
Steven H. Collins, PhD
Stanford University - Mechanical Engineering Department

Abstract: "My central research goal is to develop wearable robotic devices that improve mobility and quality of life, especially for people with disabilities. My laboratory uses three complementary approaches. First, we develop tools to speed and systematize the design of prostheses and exoskeletons. Humans are complex, limiting the effectiveness of typical robotics design methods, so we have developed a new approach that utilizes versatile, laboratory-based emulator systems. Second, we leverage our emulators in basic scientific experiments aimed at discovering and characterizing new methods of assistance. Our versatile hardware allows rapid implementation of new ideas, controlled characterization of human response to device functionality, and new approaches to design and prescription involving online adaptation and patient-specific device optimization. Finally, we translate successful approaches into energy-efficient mobile devices. For example, we recently demonstrated an ankle exoskeleton that uses no energy itself yet reduces the metabolic energy cost of human walking. We are currently developing actuators based on electrostatic adhesion that are both energy efficient and controllable, which will enable new types of high-performance wearable robots."

Biosketch: Steven H. Collins received his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 2002 from Cornell University, where he performed research on passive dynamic walking robots with Andy Ruina. He received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2008 from the University of Michigan, where he performed research on the dynamics and control of human walking with Art Kuo. He performed postdoctoral research on humanoid robots with Martijn Wisse at TU Delft in the Netherlands. He was a professor of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University for seven years. In 2017, he joined the faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University, where he teaches courses on design and robotics and directs the Stanford Biomechatronics Lab. His primary focus is to speed and systematize the design and prescription of prostheses and exoskeletons using versatile device emulator hardware and human-in-the-loop optimization algorithms (Zhang et al. 2017, Science). Another focus is efficient autonomous devices, such as highly energy-efficient walking robots (Collins et al. 2005, Science) and exoskeletons that use no energy yet reduce the metabolic energy cost of human walking (Collins et al. 2015, Nature). He is a member of the Scientific Board of Dynamic Walking and of the Editorial Board of Science Robotics. He has received the Young Scientist Award from the American Society of Biomechanics, the Best Medical Devices Paper from the International Conference on Robotics and Automation, and the student-voted Professor of the Year in his department.

You are invited to attend this and all other class sessions - Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:50pm and are open to the greater Stanford community. You need not be a Stanford student to attend, no signup is required, and there is no charge. The full schedule can be found here

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Same classroom! - The course will be held in classroom 282 in the Lathrop Library located at the corner of Lasuen Mall and Serra Mall, adjacent to Memorial Auditorium and the Oval. It seats as many as 150 people in a flexible and accessible space. Here is a webpage with maps, directions, and photos.

Photo of the front of Lathrop Library

Remaining class sessions:

Upcoming local event:

Sunnyvale Aging 2.0 logo

Sunnyvale Aging 2.0 Chapter Kickoff Event - Sunnyvale Aging 2.0 Chapter will be hosting it's 2020 Kickoff Event. There will be two presentations and an Innovator Showcase.

When: Saturday, February 29th from 1:30 to 5:00pm
Where: Sunnyvale Senior Center, 550 East Remington Drive, Sunnyvale - map
Information: This event is free and open to the public. Please register in person at the Sunnyvale Senior Center or on Eventbrite by Friday, February 28th.

Research study:

Microsoft Research logo

Microsoft Research is running an online survey to collect information from people with disabilities who telework.

"We’re seeking people with disabilities who regularly telework to learn more about their experiences. The goal of this study is to understand how teleworking helps people with disabilities make their work accessible. We want to understand people’s current work practices, what challenges they face, and what opportunities there are for improvement. To be eligible to participate, you must fit the following conditions:"

  • Telework: Work from home or another remote site as part of making your work more accessible for any disabilities that you have.
  • Use collaborative technologies such as video calling, chat, the phone, shared file directories, collaborative editing tools, screen sharing, etc. to collaborate with remote colleagues.
  • Telework at least once per week
  • Are an adult over 18 years of age

"You will be asked to complete an online survey to describe your experiences. The survey is expected to take about 30 minutes to complete. You will receive a gratuity of a $25 electronic voucher at Amazon."

"If you qualify, please fill out the online survey."

"Feel free to forward this message to others who might be interested. If you have any questions, please contact John Tang."

Other

Support the course - Funding in any amount for the course and student projects is always welcomed. Monetary gifts support approved project expenses, administrative costs, honoraria for guest lecturers, and the end-of-term celebration. Refer to the Course and Project Support webpage for more information.

Email questions, comments, or suggestions - Please email me if you have general questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the course. Thank you again for your interest.

Dave

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