Title: The Effects of Exoskeletons on Sensorimotor Feedback Control 
Date: Tuesday, October 20th, 2026
Time: 1:30 PM ET
Location: MRDC 4211 Conference Room or Teams
Amro Alshareef
Robotics Ph.D. Candidate
Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Committee:
Dr. Gregory Sawicki (Advisor) - School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Lena Ting - Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Aaron Young - School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Dr. Mark Lyle - Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University
Dr. Elliott Rouse - Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan 
Abstract:
With significant advancement in wearable technologies for assisting locomotion and augmenting balance, there is a growing need to understand how such devices affect sensorimotor control of movement. Exoskeletons act mechanically in parallel to a joint and have been shown to affect underlying neural and muscular dynamics in significant ways, in turn affecting overall movement control and stability. The objective of this work, split into four main aims, is to rigorously identify the effects of these assistive exoskeletons on the sensory feedback humans experience and its impact on the agility and stability demonstrated in human motor control.
The first is investigating the influence of exoskeleton stiffness on primary afferent feedback in an in-situ animal model. The second is investigating isometric human joint level force responsiveness and control with ankle exoskeleton assistance. The third is designing and validating a custom dynamometer for investigating human sensorimotor control. The fourth is investigating dynamic human joint level agility and stability with ankle exoskeleton assistance using the dynamometer developed in the third aim. Together, this research illuminates the complex mechanical and neural interactions between humans and exoskeletons.