Our group is focused on research and development of wearable devices and assistive robots designed to help enable, augment or assist human tasks in various applications. Some current topics include 1) wearable upper and lower body exoskeletons utilizing cable-driven architecture and myoelectric control, 2) gesture detection devices and body-worn sensors (motion, pressure, electromyography, proximity, etc.) for multi-modality biofeedback and neuromuscular interface, and 3) machine learning techniques applied to human movement biomechanics to model different human movements, movement intent and physiological states.
Wearable Engineering and Assistive Robotics (WEAR) lab offers a unique research opportunity and hands-on experience on state-of-the-art technologies to create innovative ideas and applications to expand the utility and usability of wearable assistive devices, and we do this by interdisciplinary team efforts and human-centered research! We anticipate the student to get involved in human subject experiments to test and evaluate different wearable prototypes which help further your insight and experience in developing research projects and methods, working collaboratively to address scientific and engineering problems, implementing different design and control approaches on a research platform, proof-of-concept testing and validation, writing technical reports, presenting in engineering conferences, and transitioning the technologies to a real-world (industrial partners, patent filing, licensing, commercializing, etc.). We support exploratory research and you can bring in your own ideas to materialize!
A time commitment of a minimum of 10 hours per week is desired, and a minimum of 2 semesters is preferred.
Project Dates
Start Date: 1/8/2024 - End Date: 4/28/2024
Students Needed
Type of Project
Individual
Student Responsibilities
The student will be assigned to a research project based on his/her research interest and background. The topic can be from one of the current research projects (as explained in Position Description). We expect and encourage students to develop their research milestone and short- and long- term objectives and we will help students to develop and achieve those goals. The tasks may include 1) formulating a research plan (setting up research aims, approaches and methods, and literature survey), 2) engineering mechanical and electrical components (design and fabrication), 3) programming algorithms for user-interface and signal acquisition/process, 4) sensor instrumentation for set up experiments for testing wearable prototypes, 5) develop methods for human-system performance validation, 6) data analysis and reporting data (generating plots, writing technical paper, etc.). It is expected that the students will work with graduate students to carry out research and receive the training and guidance from them and also from the faculty.
Time Commitment
10 hrs/week hour(s)
Student Requirements
We are looking for motivated undergraduate students with basic background and skillsets (or wish to develop and use the skillsets in real-world applications) required to conduct human-integrated robotics research, such as 1) Design skills – CAD software (Solidworks, AutoCAD, etc.) and mechanism design, 2) Programming skills – C, C++, Java, Matlab, Labview, Python, etc., 3) Fabrication skills – machining, 3D printing, laser cutting, etc., 4) Electronics skills – soldering, wiring, circuit design, PCB design, etc., 5) Human movement experiment skills – operating various physiologic and biomechanics measurement systems, signal processing, statistics, etc. These are preferred but not required, and we are happy to teach you and help you develop these skills. Most importantly, the students must have a strong commitment to the project, hard-working and self-motivated.
Interested in Working With the Following Programs
For EXCEL URE Students Only
Additional Notes
If interested and want to learn more, please email Dr. Joon-Hyuk Park (joonpark@ucf.edu) with a brief statement of your research interest, and your resume and transcript. Student support, such as research material/equipment, stipend, tuition, and conference registration/travels, will be provided based on the individual’s performance and need. The laboratory is located in Research 1 building, room 316.