MIT Maps Human Movement to Improve Assistive Robots
From: Robotic Trends - 10/12/2015

The project aims to improve assistive devices that can help maintain or
correct the gait of people recovering from strokes.

MIT's David Hill, a PhD student in media arts and sciences, builds
computational models of human locomotion, which are the basis for designing
ever-better prosthetics.

Hill's modeling work in the MIT Media Lab extends beyond the world of
prosthetics; his research also supports assistive devices that can help
maintain or correct the gait of people recovering from strokes, for example.
Human movement is a complicated and often taxing activity, though, even for
healthy people: Support from robotic wearables could also help make the work
of soldiers, construction workers, and other heavy lifters less physically
detrimental.

In Hugh Herr's lab, Hill is currently working on modeling the lower
extremities during walking. It sounds like a narrow project, but the lab's
focus is on creating robotic devices that mimic biological function as
closely as possible. Hill's model has to account for every minute angle and
movement throughout the legs, from the hips all the way down to the joints in
the foot. When completed, the model will be used to propel designs for
mechanical devices for any part of the lower body, and for a myriad of uses.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.roboticstrends.com/article/mit_maps_human_movement_to_improve_assistive_robots

Links:
David Hill
http://www.beaconvp.com/david-hill

Enhancing movement with computational models
http://news.mit.edu/2015/enhancing-movement-computational-models-david-hill-1007

Mapping Human Movement to Improve Rehabilitative Robotics
http://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/1198-ntb/news/news/23202

Biomechatronics - Human Walking
http://biomech.media.mit.edu/#/portfolio_page/a-data-driven-neuromuscular-model-of-human-walking/

Related:
Researchers Use 'Avatar' Experiments to Get Leg Up On Locomotion 
http://www.mdtmag.com/news/2015/10/researchers-use-avatar-experiments-get-leg-locomotion