Human Walking

Human walking research focuses on understanding the biomechanics and control mechanisms underlying this fundamental motor skill, aiming to improve prosthetic and exoskeleton design, and enhance our understanding of locomotion in general. Current research employs diverse approaches, including neuromuscular simulations, reduced-order modeling of human gait, and Bayesian inference frameworks for real-time terrain analysis, to investigate aspects like joint impedance, gait stability (including the role of the "virtual pivot point"), and optimal control strategies for energy-efficient locomotion on uneven terrain. These findings have significant implications for the development of more effective assistive devices and for advancing our knowledge of human motor control and adaptability.