[olug] Robotics / Neuromechanics Lecture

[Rob Townley]

From: jaynet-news-bounces at creighton.edu
[mailto:jaynet-news-bounces at creighton.edu] On Behalf Of Cindy Workman
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 4:25 PM
To: jaynet
Subject: [jaynet-news] Neuromechanics of Human Walking

 

Internationally Recognized Bioengineer to Discuss the Neuromechanics of
Human Walking April 1
Robots can be used to test theories of how humans control efficient and
stable locomotion.

An internationally recognized bioengineer who specializes in passive
dynamic locomotion will demonstrate these theories in an event set for
Friday, April 1, at UNO.  Art Kuo, an associate professor at the University
of Michigan, will present "Control and Mechanics of Human Walking" at noon
in 206 Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Building.  The
event, hosted by the HPER Biomechanics Laboratory, is free and open to the
public.  All interested members of the community are invited to attend.

Dr. Kuo teaches in the areas of dynamics and vibrations, and systems and
control. He has been awarded several grants from the National Institutes of
Health, the National Science Foundation and the Whitaker Foundation.

His presentation will address how passive dynamic walking robots are being
used to understand the requisites of human locomotion.  To rigorously test
such theories, engineers must replicate the human body's morphology, gait
appearance, energy consumption and organization of the nerves that control
walking.  Some of the most elaborate bipedal walking robots produce joint
actuations that are more precise than humans, but have gait mechanics that
are extremely less efficient.  To overcome this problem, engineers and
neurobiologists recently have started using a passive dynamic framework to
model the lower extremity.

For more information, contact Lisa Holst at 554-3075,
lholst at mail.unomaha.edu or access our website:
http://www.unocoe.unomaha.edu/hper/bio/home.htm