From robotics to human rehabilitation in clinical settings

The field of robotics developed techniques to model, identify and analyze articulated chains that interact physically with their environment. This project transfers those tools to the human health sector with human motion analyses, in particular wheelchair propulsion and load lifting, in order to explain why a person adopts one motor strategy rather than another. Several avenues are considered: studying human arm force-transmission capability described by manipulability ellipsoids, identifying the mass and centre of mass of arms and legs of specific individuals, or using imitation learning with a simulated human model to reproduce a given subject's motion.

This project could unlock many clinical applications: measuring rehabilitation progress objectively, tuning a wheelchair to reduce the risk of shoulder injury, and predicting the effect of an intervention without repeated trials on the patient.

You will have access to motion capture data, to force measurements from an instrumented wheelchair, and to physics simulators in which human models can be trained in an environment that reproduces the subject's own.

How to apply

To apply, send a complete application for the NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) Doctoral Program (written in English) to Prof. Philippe Nadeau.

The CGS is the primary funding mechanism for PhD students in Canada, and competition for it is fierce. Preparing a full application up front may look like extra work, but it pays off: you'll arrive with a strong first draft of your CGS application well ahead of the deadline, improving your odds of being funded by the time you join the group. Note: If you are considering applying for a Master's with thesis, the same steps apply but we will be using your application package to apply for the appropriate funding sources.