Victoria E. Abarca
Papers
5
Total Citations
51
H-Index
2
About
Victoria E. Abarca is a leading researcher at the intersection of soft robotics, rehabilitation engineering, and assistive technologies, with a focus on creating accessible, patient-centered solutions for human movement recovery. Her major contributions include the development of the Octa Hand, an affordable, multi-grasping 3D-printed robotic prosthesis for transradial amputees, capable of six distinct grasping shapes using an under-actuated cable-driven mechanism. Abarca has also pioneered soft robotic systems for pediatric rehabilitation, designing a wrist brace with a single pneumatic actuator providing two degrees of freedom, and an electro-pneumatic glove enabling precise flat pinch movements for finger therapy. Her comprehensive review on parallel robots for neck, shoulder, wrist, hip, and ankle joints has garnered 37 citations, underscoring its impact in the field. With a growing body of work that bridges affordability and functionality—from the Octa Hand to soft pediatric braces—Abarca is advancing inclusive, low-cost robotic solutions that directly improve quality of life for individuals with motor impairments.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 5Finger and wrist rehabilitation system based on soft robotics1 citations · 2025