David Portee

Orlando Health, University of Central Florida

Papers

Total Citations

177

H-Index

About

David Portee’s research lies at the critical intersection of assistive robotics, human-robot interaction, and rehabilitation engineering, with a focus on restoring autonomy to individuals with severe motor impairments. His most influential work, a 2011 study with 161 citations, investigates how a wheelchair-mounted, vision-based 6DOF robotic arm—the UCF-MANUS—affects performance and satisfaction in traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Portee’s key contribution is demonstrating that increased user control over assistive robots directly enhances both task completion and subjective well-being, challenging purely automated approaches. In a related 2010 pilot study, he further explored this autonomy-performance-satisfaction relationship over a three-week period, providing foundational evidence that user-centered design in assistive technology improves quality of life. By quantifying how robotic assistance can restore daily living capabilities, Portee’s work has shaped the development of smarter, more responsive assistive devices. His research remains a cornerstone for engineers and clinicians designing robotic systems that prioritize user agency, with implications for rehabilitation protocols and human-robot collaboration in healthcare.