Human-like Robotic Controllers for Enhanced Motor Learning

About this trial

This is a trial enrolling individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries to test two devices intended to improve leg and ankle function — an ankle robot and an exoskeleton (a powered robotic device that assists leg movement). The study focuses on the controllers used to steer the robotic devices and on how movements are affected as participants complete various tasks alone or with another individual. To improve robotic devices, researchers want to understand how the human body moves when interacting with others, whether cooperatively, competitively, or collaboratively. If selected for the trial, participants will be randomly assigned to either test the ankle robot or the exoskeleton. A task will either be performed alone or together with another participant. The study includes healthy volunteers. Final testing will be performed at approximately 5 months.