J. Kirschbaum

Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition

Papers

Total Citations

204

H-Index

About

Dr. J. Kirschbaum is a pioneering figure in rehabilitative robotics, whose work directly confronts the profound health and social limitations of wheelchair confinement for individuals with paraplegia and paraparesis. Her primary research focus lies in the design and clinical evaluation of powered exoskeletons and robotic orthoses that restore upright, bipedal mobility. Her landmark 2011 paper, "Design and evaluation of Mina: A robotic orthosis for paraplegics," which has garnered over 200 citations, introduced a novel, lightweight robotic orthosis that provides both powered hip and knee flexion. This work established foundational design principles for balancing user safety, joint torque, and metabolic efficiency, directly influencing the next generation of wearable assistive devices. By demonstrating that the Mina orthosis could enable independent, stable walking, Kirschbaum’s research has not only advanced the technical engineering of exoskeletons but has also provided critical evidence for their potential to improve cardiovascular health, bone density, and psychological well-being. Her contributions remain a cornerstone for researchers and engineers dedicated to moving beyond wheeled mobility toward a future of active, upright rehabilitation.