Emile Johnson is spending her summer improving components of complex robotic exoskeletons to enhance therapeutic medicine!
The mechanical engineering sophomore is a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (SURF) in the University of Idaho Assistive Robotics Lab, co-directed by Dean and Cindy Haagenson Mechanical Engineering Endowed Professor Eric Wolbrecht and Associate Mechanical Engineering Professor Joel Perry.
The lab specializes in robotic exoskeletons that can be used by patients who have suffered a neurological disorder, like stroke, or have physical impairment that makes it difficult to perform everyday activities.
Johnson is redesigning orthotic components of the robotic exoskeleton to improve comfort, alignment, and adjustability. She is using a variety of 3D-printed materials and different types of silicones to develop a compliant mechanism.
For testing, she is developing a pressure-sensing model that will help identify areas of high pressure in the device that may lead to patient discomfort, and a mounted laser to measure misalignment that may make therapy less effective.
Advanced robotic exoskeletons, like the one Johnson is working on, assess a patient’s level of impairment and gather data to help medical professionals improve therapies and treatment, which can then be performed using the exoskeleton.
Johnson’s SURF experience is funded through the U of I Office of Undergraduate Research.
