Human Engineering Research Laboratories

Pitt OTD students visited HERL this past Friday 💪

Thank you to Sangmi and Rosi for leading the tours.

HERL takes home 4 awards at the 2026 Rehab Institute Research Day! Congratulations to Jack Shantanu and Vicky Wang! We could not be more proud! 🎉

ARPA-H is changing what is possible for people who rely on wheelchairs and mobility devices.

This week, ARPA-H performers at the University of Pittsburgh demonstrated the Robotic Assisted Mobility and Manipulation Platform, or RAMMP.

This AI-powered prototype can navigate uneven terrain, open doors, and help people who use wheelchairs live safer and more independent lives.

RAMMP is designed to go beyond traditional mobility devices by enabling semi-autonomous movement and reducing reliance on caretakers. It combines robotics, artificial intelligence, and an open platform for assistive technology to accelerate innovation across the field.

This is a step toward a future where advanced assistive technologies give more Americans the freedom to move through the world on their own terms.

https://www.pittwire.pitt.edu/features-articles/2026/04/23/herl-rammp-wheelchair-arpa-h

For 80 years, PVA has been working to improve the lives of and people with disabilities, which includes a relentless commitment to finding better treatments and, one day, a cure for spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D).

This year, six researchers are driving progress in that mission by advancing care across areas like , , and more. Now, through the , we’re looking for the next wave of breakthroughs to support.

Explore this year’s work and help shape what comes next: https://pva.org/research-resources/research-foundation/.

It's here!
Register for VISTA 2025 (in 2026).
herl.pitt.edu/vista-2025

Meet some of the world's lightest, most versatile wheelchairs.

HERL Quarterly No. 25, Vol. 1
herl.pitt.edu/newsletter