Rehabilitation Engineering

Taking a load off Ongoing academic-military-commercial collaboration wins first Pathfinder Project award Soldiers often carry 100 pounds or more in combat–weapon, ammunition, water, batteries, and more, plus the weight of a helmet, body armor, and other protective gear. The extra weight comes at a cost, and back injuries are a… Read More

An AI-based job interview tool tracks a user’s gaze and other metrics during a meeting with a virtual interviewer. Charts of attention and stress levels (below, right) during a simulated interview give users feedback about their performance. REHABILITATION ENGINEERING NSF grant aligns with school’s Inclusion EngineeringSM focus The interview… Read More

Running feet take turns hovering in the air for the briefest of moments. During that time, the airborne foot does nothing to advance the cause of running. But what if it could? A pair of Vanderbilt engineers has proposed a pogo stick-like device that takes advantage of the airtime, allowing… Read More

Vanderbilt University engineers have determined that their back-assist exosuit, a clothing-like device that supports human movement and posture, can reduce fatigue by an average of 29–47 percent in lower back muscles. The exosuit’s functionality presents a promising new development for individuals who work in physically demanding fields and are… Read More