Research · Theme

AI-Powered & Assistive Robotics

Human-centered systems for mobility, rehabilitation, and everyday autonomy.

We apply AI and novel mechanism design to assistive and human-centered robots: vibrotactile safety systems for power wheelchairs, bio-inspired prosthetics with real-time feedback, lower-limb exoskeletons, dexterous and reflexive robotic hands, and efficient bipedal leg architectures.

The lab’s wheelchair-assistance research was featured in the NHK WORLD-JAPAN documentary Where We Call Home; the associated driving-safety method is published in IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering (2026). Read more →

Projects

Power-wheelchair driving safety

Vehicle-embedded vibrotactile feedback to improve driving safety (IEEE T-NSRE, 2026).

mobilityvibrotactile

Bio-inspired prosthetics & fingers

Lower-limb prosthesis with real-time haptic feedback; anthropomorphic fingers for dexterous hands.

prostheticsbio-inspired

Reflexive grip & bipedal legs

Low-cost layered sensing for reflexive grip control; mode-switching legs for bipedal robots.

sensinglocomotion

Publications in AI-Powered & Assistive Robotics

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2026
1
Vehicle-Embedded Vibrotactile Haptic Feedback for Improved Driving Safety in Power Wheelchairs Journal
S. Phamornsuwana, S. Nisar
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering
DOI
2
3
A Low-Cost Three-Layer Sensing Architecture for Reflexive Grip Control in Prosthetic and Robotic Hands
S. Shukla, S. Nisar
31st Int. Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics (AROB 2026)
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4
Design and Development of a Compact Tendon-Driven Soft Robotic Glove for Hand Rehabilitation
Q. Q. Ayun, K. Meitani, S. Nisar
31st Int. Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics (AROB 2026)
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5
Design and Development of Mode-Switching Linear–Rotary Actuation Mechanism for Enhanced Versatility of Closed-Chain Bipedal Legs
M. G. Chandramohan, K. Meitani, G. G. Nanayakkara, S. Nisar
31st Int. Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics (AROB 2026)
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6
Addressing Ergonomic and Kinematic Limitations in Lower-Limb Exoskeleton Biomechanical Design
L. Peters, A. Majumder, S. Nisar
Proc. 43rd Annual Conf. of the Robotics Society of Japan (RSJ)
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7
2025
8
Bridging Efficiency and Versatility: Design of a Parallel Five-Bar Leg Architecture for Bipedal Robots
M. G. Chandramohan, J. A. G. Nanayakkara, S. Nisar
Proc. 43rd Annual Conf. of the Robotics Society of Japan (RSJ 2025)
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9
AI-Powered Autonomous Wheelchair with Zero-Shot Obstacle Detection and Navigation Assistance for Enhanced Mobility
K. H. Joshi, P. Suriyasomboon, R. M. Suarez Flores, S. Nisar
30th Int. Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics (AROB) 2025
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10
11
Design of a Multi-Link Minimally Actuated Serial Robot Upper-Limb Exoskeleton
A. Villalejo Cota, R. M. Suarez Flores, S. Nisar
30th Int. Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics (AROB) 2025
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12
Evaluation of Haptic Feedback Modalities for Enhanced Locomotor Stability in Lower-Limb Prosthetic Training
P. Suriyasomboon, A. Majumder, R. M. Suarez Flores, S. Nisar
30th Int. Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics (AROB) 2025
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2024
13
Human-Gait Type Recognition without Pre-Training: An Adaptive Fuzzy-Based Approach for Locomotion-Assistance Devices Journal
N. Chirachongcharoen, S. Nisar
Artificial Life and Robotics, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 389–397
DOI
14
Design and Development of a Bio-Inspired Lower-Limb Prosthesis with Real-Time Haptic Feedback
P. Suriyasomboon, R. M. Suarez Flores, S. Nisar
Int. Symposium on Swarm Behavior and Bio-Inspired Robotics (SWARM) 2024 — Best Paper Award
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15
Design Optimization and Imitation Learning Control of a Lower-Limb Robotic Exoskeleton
N. Chirachongcharoen, S. Nisar
42nd Annual Conf. of the Robotics Society of Japan (RSJ) 2024
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16
Studying Vehicle-Based Vibrotactile Haptic Feedback for Collision Avoidance on a Power Wheelchair
S. Phamornsuwana, S. Nisar
42nd Annual Conf. of the Robotics Society of Japan (RSJ) 2024
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2023
17
Assisted-Wheelchair Navigation Using Haptic Assistance
S. Phamornsuwana, S. Nisar
28th Int. Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics (AROB) 2023
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18
An Adaptive Fuzzy-Based Algorithm to Recognize Human-Gait Type for Locomotion-Assistance Devices
N. Chirachongcharoen, S. Nisar
28th Int. Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics (AROB) 2023
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Other research themes

Medical & Surgical Robotics

Robots that bring the surgeon and patient closer together — safer, more reliable, and more accessible.

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Haptics & Human–Robot Interaction

Giving operators a sense of robotic touch — on the fingertip, the palm, and beyond.

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Soft Manipulators & Actuators

Compliant, adaptive mechanisms for safe and versatile manipulation.

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Interested in AI-powered & assistive robotics?

We welcome Master's and Ph.D. students, research interns, and undergraduate project students. Get in touch to discuss projects and collaborations.

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