Embracing Collaboration in Robotics. Discover how Humotech fosters teamwork and seeks collaborations to tackle complex problems.
Join us as we explore the power of collaborative thinking and its impact on cutting-edge innovations.
Standardized Exoskeleton Evaluation: Enabling Innovation with Adam Norton
In this conversation, Adam Norton from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (https://www.uml.edu/) NERVE Center (https://www.uml.edu/research/nerve/) discusses his journey into the field of exoskeletons and robotics, emphasizing the importance of standards in the development and evaluation of these technologies. He highlights the challenges of measuring human-robot performance, the role of ASTM (https://www.astm.org/) in setting standards, and the need for transparency in testing and certification processes. The discussion also touches on the future of exoskeleton standards and the collaborative nature of the robotics community.
Music by Chase Davenport. Used with permission.
Takeaways
Adam's journey into robotics began with traditional robotics.
Exoskeletons are specialized systems, not the sci-fi versions.
Standards should be developed alongside technology, not after.
Objective measures can support subjective evaluations.
Acceptance is crucial for user adoption of exoskeletons.
ASTM F48 plays a key role in exoskeleton standards.
Self-certification could empower smaller companies.
Testing should replicate real-world conditions.
Transparency in results is essential for credibility.
The robotics community is small and interconnected.
Sound bites
"The community is so small, we all know each other."
"It's a very hard balance to strike."
"Standards as an enabler as opposed to a barrier."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Exoskeletons and Robotics
05:56 Measuring Human-Robot Performance
11:24 The Role of Standards in Exoskeleton Development
16:39 Certification and Testing in the Exoskeleton Industry
24:51 The Importance of Standards in Exoskeleton Development
26:19 Funding and Participation in Standards Development
28:23 The Role of Governing Bodies in Standards
29:46 Navigating the Exoskeleton Market
30:51 Developing Performance Specifications for Exoskeletons
33:21 Challenges in Standard Compliance
35:33 Bench Testing vs. Real-World Testing
37:12 Finding the Balance in Testing Methodologies
40:01 Statistical Analysis in Exoskeleton Testing
44:39 Conclusion and Future Directions
44:55 Going with the Flow
44:59 Wrap-Up
18 Mar 2026
Engineering the Future of Wearable Robotics with Dr. Elliott Rouse
In this conversation, Dr. Elliott Rouse shares his journey from a mechanical engineer in auto racing to a leading figure in rehabilitation research at the University of Michigan (https://umich.edu/). He discusses the importance of hands-on experience in engineering, the impact of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (https://www.sralab.org/), and his experiences at Google X (https://x.company/). Dr. Rouse elaborates on the Open Source Leg (https://opensourceleg.org/) project, its significance in the field of robotics, and the challenges of measuring its impact. He emphasizes the importance of community support in open source projects and the role of federal funding in advancing research. The conversation concludes with advice for early career innovators in the field.
Music by Chase Davenport. Used with permission.
Takeaways
Dr. Rouse transitioned from auto racing to rehabilitation research to make a meaningful impact.
The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab provided a unique environment for training in rehabilitation engineering.
Hands-on experience is crucial for engineering students and researchers.
The Open Source Leg project aims to create accessible robotic systems for research.
Measuring the impact of the open source leg involves tracking downloads, contributions, and publications.
Receiving positive feedback from users worldwide is a rewarding aspect of the project.
Take-home studies for robotic systems are on the horizon, indicating progress in the field.
Support for open source projects is a significant challenge that requires community engagement.
Federal funding mechanisms like NSF's POSE are vital for supporting open source ecosystems.
Early career innovators should focus on converting effort into tangible results.
Sound bites
"I want to impact people's lives."
"It's a wonderful place to be trained."
"I want to see the needle move."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Elliott Rouse
01:37 Journey into Rehabilitation Research
05:08 The Impact of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
08:02 Bridging Corporate and Academic Worlds
09:24 Experiences at Google X and RAI Institute
15:42 The Open Source Leg Project
20:38 Measuring Impact and Success
24:38 Future of Open Source in Real-World Applications
28:28 Navigating Support Challenges in Open Source Development
30:48 Federal Support for Open Source Ecosystems
31:45 Exploring Research Scope and Hardware Design
32:11 Innovations in Variable Stiffness Mechanisms
35:35 Measuring Mechanical Impedance and User Preferences
37:08 Behavioral Economics in Exoskeleton Value Assessment
40:33 Understanding the Cost of Exoskeletons
42:07 Bridging Technology and Economic Decision Making
48:03 Advice for Early Career Innovators
11 Mar 2026
Paths to Progress in Biomechanics: Perspective from Sasha Portnova
In this conversation, Dr. Sasha Portnova, creator and host with Gears of Progress Podcast (https://www.sashaportnova.com/gears-of-progress), shares her journey from academia to the corporate world, discussing her work in biomechanics, rehabilitation engineering, and assistive technology. She emphasizes the importance of user-centered design and collaboration between engineers and clinicians to create effective solutions for individuals with disabilities. Dr. Portnova also highlights the challenges of translating technology into clinical practice and the need for increased funding to support innovation in the field.
Music by Chase Davenport. Used with permission.
Takeaways
Dr. Portnova's journey into biomechanics was serendipitous and driven by intuition.
Transitioning from academia to corporate involves understanding scalability and impact.
User-centered design is crucial in developing assistive technologies.
Collaboration between engineers and clinicians is essential for successful technology adoption.
The affordability of technology is key to improving accessibility in rehabilitation.
Open-source approaches can enhance the development of assistive devices.
Research in upper limb biomechanics is often underrepresented compared to lower limb studies.
Advancements in machine learning are shaping the future of prosthetic control.
Funding is a significant bottleneck in innovation for assistive technology.
The importance of community and mentorship in shaping careers in biomechanics.
Sound bites
"It's a roller coaster."
"It's all about collaboration."
"We need more funding for innovation."
Chapters
00:00 Future of Affordable Tracking Technology
00:25 Introduction to Dr. Sasha Portnova
01:44 Journey into Mobility and Rehab
02:12 Academic Experiences at University of Washington
06:26 Transition to Meta
07:47 Gears of Progress Podcast
10:48 Technical and Research Details
18:18 Northwestern and Upper Limb Exploration
25:34 Postdoctoral Research at University of Washington
26:20 User-Centered Design Philosophy
38:50 Future of Assistive Technology
47:59 Innovation and Change
56:18 Call to Action
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
72
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
68
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