HERL researchers will lead a $41M ARPA-H grant, a first for Pitt

Researchers at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), an institute under the University of Pittsburgh's schools of the health sciences and part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, were awarded up to $41.5 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to reimagine a wheelchair and assistive robotic arm that will improve the independence, safety and quality of life for people with disabilities, including veterans.

The project's co-principal investigators are Rory Cooper (pictured), director of HERL and Distinguished Professor of Rehabilitation Science and Technology at Pitt, and Jorge Candiotti, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation in Pitt's School of Medicine and research biomedical engineer within HERL and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Robotic Assisted Mobility and Manipulation Platform (RAMMP) system will integrate advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, a novel operating system and digital twin technology through the Robotic Assistive Mobility Manipulation Simulation environment, a virtual platform that enables precise, safe and scalable testing and development within realistic simulated settings.

"Most powered wheelchairs aren't designed to overcome many of the common challenges in the real world - and changing the environment to accommodate them is nearly impossible," Cooper said. "We need smarter technology that prevents tipping and falling, improves mobility and adds more function such as coordinated mobility and robotic arm manipulation of objects so people with disabilities can fully participate in everyday life."

RAMMP will advance the design of powered mobility and manipulation devices by improving their function, obstacle detection and negotiation, and seamless integration with robotic arms for more effective object interaction. Its real-time 360-degree environmental awareness and adaptive control features will allow users to navigate complex environments with enhanced capabilities, confidence and safety.

"We are redesigning everything from the ground up," said Cooper, who is also Pitt's assistant vice chancellor for research for STEM-health sciences collaborations. "In terms of the seating system, the base, its robotic arm, the control system, the mechanical design, the operating system - everything will be new."

HERL received this landmark award - the first Pitt-led ARPA-H project - in recognition of its pioneering work in advanced mobility technology. HERL previously developed the Mobility Enhancement Robotic Wheelchair, or MEBot, a robotic wheelchair capable of autonomously climbing curbs and stairs and maintaining a stable, level seat using six independently controlled wheels and onboard sensors.

Each year, more than 100,000 wheelchair-related injuries are treated in U.S. emergency departments due to tips and falls. To directly address these safety issues, RAMMP will apply participatory action design and engineering - a user-centered process that actively involves wheelchair users, clinicians and advocacy groups in co-designing solutions that meet real-world needs.

RAMMP will also create a new workforce and manufacturing opportunities in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania, with the goal of producing advanced mobility systems domestically.

Joining Pitt in this national consortium are Kinova Robotics, LUCI Mobility, ATDev, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Northeastern University and Purdue University.

Photography by Tom Altany