James V. McCall

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Papers

Total Citations

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About

James V. McCall is a leading researcher in the fields of wearable robotics, neuromechanics, and assistive device control. His work focuses on developing intelligent exoskeletons that seamlessly integrate with human physiology to enhance mobility and rehabilitation. McCall’s major contributions include pioneering neuromuscular-model based control strategies for ankle exoskeletons, demonstrating that optimized timing and magnitude of assistive torques can reduce metabolic cost by approximately 10% during walking—a significant advancement in making exoskeletons practical for everyday use. His research on soft pneumatic actuators for hand exoskeletons further showcases his impact, addressing critical challenges in creating lightweight, compliant systems that safely assist finger extension for individuals with motor impairments. With his most-cited paper accumulating 31 citations and his recent work on soft robotics gaining attention, McCall is shaping the future of human-machine interaction. His notable achievement lies in bridging computational modeling with hardware design, offering personalized, efficient solutions that push the boundaries of assistive technology. For students and researchers, McCall’s work exemplifies how integrating biomechanics and control theory can transform rehabilitation and human performance.