Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Kumiko Sano is a leading researcher in the field of neurorehabilitation robotics, with a primary focus on the application of the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) for gait recovery. Her work centers on the immediate and training-induced effects of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) for patients with cerebral palsy and subacute stroke. Sano’s major contributions include demonstrating that a single session of HAL training can produce immediate improvements in gait function for cerebral palsy patients, and that structured gait training with HAL significantly enhances walking speed and capacity in subacute stroke survivors. Her most-cited papers—each garnering over 40 citations—have established foundational evidence for the clinical utility of HAL in pediatric and adult neurorehabilitation. Notably, her 2018 study on robot-assisted training for cerebral palsy (50 citations) and her 2016 pilot study on HAL training in subacute stroke (41 citations) are widely referenced for their rigorous methodology and promising outcomes. Sano’s work has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of how voluntary-driven robotic exoskeletons can facilitate neuroplasticity and functional recovery, making her a key figure in the translational application of rehabilitation robotics.