Brain-Computer Interfaces
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been gaining popularity due to their numerous potential use cases for clinical populations including powered mobility device control, communication interfaces, and motor rehabilitation. This is particularly relevant to people with motor impairments, such as ALS, locked-in state, and spinal cord injuries, as BCIs allow them to actively engage with their environment in real-time. Despite the success of proof-of-concept BCI devices in numerous research fields, their translations to real-world use remains hindered by technical and clinical limitations. As such, the research in this lab hopes to further advance BCI technology and its applications through building real-world tools to improve quality of life and independence.
Assistive Mobility Technology
Despite the increasing demand for mobility assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers, and prosthetics, fundamental designs have stagnated. In particular, device designs have focused on assistance in straight-line walking and standing which account for only ~30% of all mobility activities. Considering the large majority of mobility comprises of adaptive mobility tasks (e.g., obstacle negotiation, turning, transfers), the aim of this research is to advance device designs to improve effectiveness across the breadth of real-world conditions encountered in daily life.
Sensor-based Assessment & Monitoring
While laboratory-based methods of examining human motor control (e.g., motion capture, electromyography (EMG), electroencephalography (EEG)) has deepened our understanding of the mechanisms for successful mobility, examining real-world gait and balance behavior remains limited. In particular, adapting to the complex, dynamic environment is a critical capability for successful mobility. Research conducted in this program aims to develop and apply novel real-world measurement methods using wearable, mobile, and ambient sensors.
Past Work
Here is a collection of our past projects and research.