Papers
7
Total Citations
353
H-Index
6
About
John McBean’s research bridges rehabilitation engineering and socially interactive robotics, with a focus on creating robots that move safely, expressively, and intuitively alongside humans. His most influential work, “Electromyography-Controlled Exoskeletal Upper-Limb–Powered Orthosis for Exercise Training After Stroke” (170 citations), pioneered the use of EMG signals to control wearable robotic orthoses for post-stroke rehabilitation, offering a novel approach to restoring upper-limb function through patient-driven, robot-assisted exercise. In parallel, McBean explored the expressive potential of robots through interactive robot theatre, notably with the “Public Anemone” project, where autonomous characters engaged audiences via sight, sound, scent, and touch in loosely scripted performances. This work, cited over 100 times collectively, served as a testbed for studying sociable robots and human-robot interaction. He also advanced safe physical interaction by developing voice coil actuators for direct-drive robots, enabling compliant, force-controlled movement essential for close human contact. His contributions have shaped both therapeutic and social robotics, demonstrating how robots can assist, entertain, and connect with people in meaningful ways.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Interactive robot theatre73 citations · 2003
- 3Interactive robot theatre36 citations · 2004
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- 6
- 7Public anemone4 citations · 2002