Episode 1: (Bio)Mechanics
May 20 1:30-5:30 PM EDT
Energetics of Human Feet: From Musculoskeletal Mechanisms to Application of Simple Wearable Devices
Understanding the mechanisms of energy-efficient locomotion provides a road map for the engineering of wearable devices for augmenting human mobility. Over the last ~10 years, our research group has developed and integrated computational tools (e.g., foot models, ultrasound and thermal imaging) to identify key features of human feet. What emerged from these observations were fundamental principles that can be translated into designs of simple, low-cost wearable devices. In this talk, I will present examples of devices that can augment human locomotion by working synergistically with biological muscles. With these examples, I hope to facilitate discussions between roboticists and biologists to draw inspirations from human feet for the next generation of engineered machines.
Dr. Kota Takahashi
Dr. Kota Takahashi is an assistant professor in the Department of Biomechanics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Takahashi received his Ph.D. from the Biomechanics and Movement Science Interdisciplinary Program at the University of Delaware. He completed postdoctoral training from the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. The goal of his research is to examine the biomechanics and energetics of human foot and ankle structures to inspire applications of wearable devices (e.g., prosthetics, exoskeletons, footwear) for enhancing mobility and rehabilitation. He integrates a variety of tools (e.g., motion capture, ultrasound, thermal imaging) that bridge concepts from engineering and physiology to identify structure-function relationships that govern human locomotion.