Rakel Poveda

Universitat Politècnica de València, Biomechanics Institute of Valencia

Papers

Total Citations

110

H-Index

About

Rakel Poveda is a leading researcher in the field of rehabilitation robotics, with a primary focus on human–robot physical interaction and wearable robotic systems. Her work bridges the gap between mechanical design and clinical application, particularly in the development of exoskeletons and robotic platforms for gait rehabilitation. One of her most influential contributions is the CPWalker (2016, 29 citations), a robotic platform specifically designed to assist gait rehabilitation in patients with Cerebral Palsy—a condition that affects posture, movement, and motor abilities. This work addresses critical challenges in pediatric rehabilitation by integrating robotic support with patient-specific needs. Poveda’s foundational research on the kinematics and dynamics of wearable robots (2008, 23 citations) has provided essential frameworks for understanding kinematic compatibility between human limbs and robotic interfaces, as well as the control of interaction forces. Her early work on human–robot physical interaction (2008, 58 citations) remains a key reference in the field, offering case studies on constraint displacements and non-ergonomic interfaces. Through her contributions, Poveda has significantly advanced the design of safer, more effective wearable robots, impacting both research and clinical practice in neurorehabilitation.