Haptics
The REACH lab is involved in efforts to develop distributed macro mini and additional hybrid active-passive actuation schemes. Research efforts include, developing improved control and estimation strategies, optimization of device and electromagnetic designs, and investigating the interplay between control, sensing, and the device’s underlying system dynamics. Ultimately, the result is the best possible haptic display.
Human-Robot Physical Interaction
The REACH lab is involved in a number of projects related to physical human-robot interaction. Some of the research efforts include the development of human-friendly actuation through hybrid methods, methods for communicating tactile and force information in robotics applications, and methods that enable human-robot teaming in contact-rich tasks. Our research in physical interaction has been funded by agencies such as NSF and NASA and has applications in areas such as rehabilitation, industrial manufacturing, and space robotics.
Medical Robotics
The REACH lab is involved in efforts to develop Continuum Medical Robotics and Interleaved Manipulation. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain the inherent safety of catheter devices and to develop control and modeling techniques to avoid or compensate for nonlinear behavior in the devices. Our past research in medical robotics has been funded by NSF and the Wisconsin Innovation & Economic Development Research Program (IEDR).