Max Shepherd

This video does a great job showing how the biological torque prediction works for all sorts of tasks--cyclic, noncyclic, and even unstructured/undefinable movements. First time I've worn an active exoskeleton for hours without ever needing to turn it off!

With co-first authors @dean_molinaro and Keaton Scherpereel, Ethan Schonhaut, Georgios Evangelopoulos, and Aaron Young (@GT_EPIC_Lab)

Proud and excited to finally share this awesome project in Nature! We used a real-time data-driven estimate of biological joint moment as a continuous, task-agnostic signal to base our exoskeleton actuator torque around. nature.com/articles/s4158…

Join our team! The Shepherd Lab is recruiting one postdoc (flexible start) and one PhD student (Fall 2025). Project areas include mechatronic design for prosthetics and exos, preference-based optimization, data-driven control, and biomechanics. shepherdlab.sites.northeastern.edu/research/

My lab is recruiting a postdoc to work on ML-based task-agnostic exoskeleton control and/or lower limb prosthesis design and control. Come join us in Boston! Shepherd Lab: shepherdlab.sites.northeastern.edu Apply here: northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/careers/job/Bo…

We're hiring multiple tenure track positions at Northeastern, with joint appointments possible between Rehab Science and Engineering. Topics: Sensorimotor rehabilitation, neuromodulation, rehabilitation robotics, and neuroprosthetics. Come join me! northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/…

@GT_EPIC_Lab @BA_Shafer @aakash_baj @dawit_lee @dean_molinaro @jenniferleestma @c_nuesslein @EthanSchonhaut @inseungkang Congrats, y'all!!

And just like that, our second cohort of PhD students have all successfully defended! Huge congrats to Drs. @BA_Shafer, @aakash_baj, @dawit_lee, and @dean_molinaro! We had a blast celebrating with EPIC members past and present this summer!

A great fusion of experiences and perspectives with @kim_ingraham, @maegan_tucker1, Aaron Ames, and Elliott Rouse

New Perspective on #userpreference in prosthetics and exoskeletons. Preference is noisy and tricky to quantify, but contains unique information for researchers trying to develop user-optimal solutions. sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Check out our new publication on the design of a passive prosthetic ankle that lifts the toe during swing phase (to reduce falls) while providing full stance phase energy storage and return!

@plopesresearch @Owen1Beck @NeuromechanicsL @GT_PoWeR_Lab @shn_kasa @JunNishidaLab Thanks Pedro! Very cool idea to test agency with the superhuman reflexes--it's certainly a different feeling when the device moves before you do

@MaxKShepherd @Owen1Beck @NeuromechanicsL @GT_PoWeR_Lab Max, fantastic work -- really enjoyed reading this. We too explore this principle in electrical muscle stimulation, where we need the device to operate faster than you to accelerate reaction time, dodge objects, etc: lab.plopes.org/projects/agenc… (w/ @shn_kasa & @JunNishidaLab )

Excited to share our new research: “Exoskeletons need to react faster than physiological responses to improve standing balance.” w/ @Owen1Beck, @NeuromechanicsL and @GT_PoWeR_Lab. Paper: science.org/doi/epdf/10.11… Jargon-free explanation: theconversation.com/faster-than-re… 1/

Couldn't have been done without a great team: @Owen1Beck, @Rishkabob96 (applying to grad schools!), @Giovanni_MRTN, @gregory_sawicki, @NeuromechanicsL

Thus, ankle exoskeletons must apply assistance as rapidly as possible to get the center of pressure in front of the center of mass, despite the minor disruption to the natural plantarflexion response. That is, to improve balance, make the human faster not stronger!

I'm recruiting PhD students for Fall 2023; If you are interested in either advanced mechatronic design or machine learning-based control of assistive devices, please reach out! Examples of past projects on my lab site: shepherdlab.sites.northeastern.edu

@TaskinPadir @NEU_Avatar @Northeastern This is awesome--Congrats!

I am recruiting graduate students to join my lab next year! Opportunities to work on • wearable sensing • human-exoskeleton interaction • pediatric powered mobility & computer interaction • human-in-the-loop optimization for assistive robots, and more! DM me with interest.