Gears of Progress

In this episode of "Gears of Progress," we dive into the fascinating world of fashion science with Dr. Martha Hall (website, LinkedIn), a pioneer in integrating fashion design with health sciences and engineering. Discover how Dr. Hall's unique interdisciplinary approach is transforming wearable technology and adaptive fashion, enhancing the quality of life for diverse populations. From innovative smart materials to user-centered design, explore the cutting-edge projects that are redefining the boundaries of fashion and function. Join us for an inspiring conversation that challenges conventional design paradigms and celebrates the power of collaboration across disciplines.

Josh Caputo(LinkedIn, Google Scholar, personal website) is the founder and CEO of Humotech, a company that specializes in wearable robotic systems for biomechanics research, rehabilitation, and assistive device development. In this episode, we discuss his journey from mechanical engineering to the field of assistive technology and rehabilitation robotics. Josh shares insights into his PhD research on prosthetic ankles, the challenges and motivations behind starting Humotech, and the company's current focus on developing innovative solutions for the research field. The conversation also explores the open-source leg project, an initiative aimed at making advanced robotic prosthetic legs more accessible for research and development. In this conversation, Josh emphasizes the need for platform solutions in control systems and shares insights into the company's growth and customer base. He also reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, the purpose of the Humotech podcast, and his excitement for the future of wearable robotics.

Please note that this is the last episode of season 1 and Gears of Progress is going on break.

This episode was powered by: 

• Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (CREATE) at the University of Washington 

• Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)

In this conversation, Sasha interviews Jay Lee (website, LinkedIn, Google Scholar), an HCI researcher from Makeability Lab at the University of Washington focused on augmented reality and accessibility for low vision individuals. They discuss Jay's journey into HCI, the importance of accessibility in technology, and various projects he has worked on, including AR applications for sports and cooking. The conversation highlights the growing interest in accessibility research within the HCI community and the potential for AR technologies to enhance daily life for individuals with disabilities. Jae expresses his vision for creating accessible AR solutions that cater to diverse populations, aiming to shape a future where technology is inclusive for all.

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In this episode, Sasha speaks with Andres Guerrero, a rehabilitation engineer, and Jean Marie Florkowski, an occupational therapist, about their work at Blythedale Children's Hospital. They discuss the integration of rehabilitation engineering with clinical practices, the role of assistive technology in pediatric therapy, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. The conversation also touches on the challenges of communication between engineers and clinicians, the impact of adaptive toys on child development, and the future of assistive technology, including brain-computer interfaces and gaming.

Useful resources:

This conversation features a group of assistive technology professionals (ATPs) from Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, NY, discussing their roles, experiences, and the evolution of assistive technology in pediatric care. They are:

They share personal journeys that led them to Blythedale, the importance of assistive technology in enhancing children's potential, and the challenges faced in accessing and delivering these technologies. The discussion also highlights the advancements in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and the need for better tracking of assistive technology delivery to ensure children receive the necessary support. The speakers emphasize the need for more research in pediatric assistive technology and the potential of advancing technology to enhance independence for children with disabilities.

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Dr. Max Ortiz-Catalan (LinkedIn, Google Scholar, website) shares his journey from electronics engineering to becoming a leading expert in neuroprosthetics. He discusses the challenges of medical device regulation across the world, the advancements in control mechanisms for prosthetics, and

A few important links:

In this conversation, Dr. Mark Hasegawa-Johnson (LinkedIn, Google Scholar), professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois, and Clarion Mendes (LinkedIn), a professor of Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Illinois, discuss the Speech Accessibility Project, which aims to improve speech recognition technology for individuals with speech impairments. They explore the evolution of speech recognition, the variability of speech

Useful links from the episode:

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Dr. Susanna Engdahl (Google Scholar, LinkedIn) shares her journey from a physics background to becoming a researcher in upper-limb prosthetics. She emphasizes the importance of user perspectives in prosthetic design and the need for a balanced approach to technology and patient care. She also highlights her post-PhD work in advocacy and the development of new prosthetic control systems, such as sonomyography. Susannah emphasizes the importance of considering user performance, device reliability, and the need for participatory design in research.

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In this conversation, Dr. Rory Cooper (LinkedIn, Google Scholar) shares his journey into rehabilitation engineering, discussing the evolution of wheelchair design, to which he contributed a tremendous amount, the importance of designing with people with disabilities, and the challenges of accessibility in assistive technology. At the University of Pittsburgh, he heads the Human Engineering Research Laboratory. He emphasizes the need for evidence-based solutions and the impact of societal changes on the perception of disabilities. The discussion also touches on his experiences in the Paralympics as both an athlete and a sports scientist. The conversation also touches on the significance of community and personal achievements in sports, culminating in a discussion about future trends

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In this conversation, Sasha and Anni Kern, Staff of Community & Outreach at ETH Zurich, discuss the CYBATHLON, an event that promotes the development of assistive technology through friendly competition. Anni shares insights on the event's evolution, the importance of user-centered design, and the various disciplines involved

The CYBATHLON competition will take place on Oct 25-27 in Zurich, Switzerland. It can also be streamed live here.

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